Society of Beer Drinking Ladies Inc.

What Society of Beer Drinking Ladies Inc. does

Society of Beer Drinking Ladies Inc. (SOBDL) is a Toronto-based community organization founded in 2014 that builds inclusive spaces for women-identified, non-binary, and gender-fluid individuals (19+) to enjoy craft beer. The company operates monthly Bevy events (averaging 400 attendees per event) in Toronto, Ottawa, and Hamilton; the bi-annual Lady Beer Fest (Canada's first and largest beer festival for women, attracting 1,000+ attendees); the Good Tap draught initiative at partner venues; the Society Clubhouse (a physical venue at 967 College St. opened in 2022); and additional programming such as beer yoga, Beer & Baking workshops, The Betty comedy show, and virtual tastings.

SOBDL generates revenue through a diversified, event-driven model including ticket sales (Bevy events, Lady Beer Fest, workshops via Eventbrite and at the door), merchandise sales through shop.ladiesdrinkbeer.com (powered by Square), curated Mystery Boxes at $79.99+HST, a Monthly Beer Club subscription, small-batch collaboration brews co-produced with Ontario craft breweries (Henderson, Spearhead, Granite, Junction Craft, Nickelbrook, Left Field) and distributed at partner tap rooms and to-go, and seasonal beer and cider distribution through Ontario LCBO retail locations. The Society Clubhouse also generates revenue from private rentals and serves as a pickup point for online orders.

The company is privately held and currently owned and operated by two of the original five co-founders, Erica Campbell and Jaime Dobbs, supported by coordinators and a volunteer force called the Volunbeer army. SOBDL has raised over $50,000 for the Canadian Women's Foundation since inception and maintains a formal Anti-Racism Action Plan with a 12-member Inclusivity Committee. Positioning leverages first-mover status as the largest women and beer organization in North America, with no external institutional funding disclosed.

Name

Society of Beer Drinking Ladies Inc.

Legal name

Society of Beer Drinking Ladies Inc.

Website

https://ladiesdrinkbeer.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Society of Beer Drinking Ladies is a Toronto-based community organization founded in 2014 that hosts beer events, festivals, and collaboration brews for women-identified, non-binary, and gender-fluid individuals across Ontario, selling tickets, merchandise, mystery boxes, and a monthly beer club.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Events & Craft Beer Hospitality

NAICS

Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (445320), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (722410)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Malt Beverages (2082)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAFAEAG

Craft Beer Bars & Taprooms

Travel & Hospitality/Foodservice & Beverage (Restaurants, Cafes, Bars)/Bars, Pubs & Nightlife Venues

SECONDARYCRANACAF

Taprooms & Brewpubs

Consumer Products & Retail/Tobacco, Alcohol & Cannabis Retail/On-Premise Alcohol Retail (Bars, Pubs & Taprooms)

SECONDARYCRANABAF

Alcohol Subscription & Wine Clubs (Retail)

Consumer Products & Retail/Tobacco, Alcohol & Cannabis Retail/Beer, Wine & Spirits Specialty Retail

SECONDARYTHAJAGAE

Beer, Brewery & Craft Beverage Tastings

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Food & Drink Experiences (Culinary Tours, Tastings, Cooking Classes)

SECONDARYTHAJAKAF

Beverage Craft Classes (Coffee, Tea, Mixology, Wine/Beer Education)

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Workshops & Classes (Arts, Crafts, Skills & Local Lessons)

Keywords

• Craft beer events
• Women beer community
• Beer festival organization
• Craft beer merchandise
• Beer subscription box

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Event Tickets: Revenue from Bevy events, Lady Beer Fests, beer yoga, comedy shows, and other themed events. Tickets sold through Eventbrite and at the door.
2. Mystery Boxes: Curated boxes containing Ontario craft beers, spirits, cider, artisan goods from woman-owned businesses, and exclusive SOBDL swag. Sold at $79.99 + HST per box.
3. Merchandise/Swag: Tanks, toques, glassware and more sold through shop.ladiesdrinkbeer.com and at events.
4. Collaboration Brews: Small batch collaborative beers brewed with Ontario craft breweries, sold by the pint in brewery tap rooms and to-go in cans, growlers or bottles at brewery bottle shops.
5. Monthly Beer Club Membership: Monthly subscription membership program for regular deliveries of curated beer products.
6. LCBO Distribution: Seasonal beer and cider products sold through Ontario LCBO retail locations.
7. Society Clubhouse: Physical venue at 967 College St. Toronto for events, rentals, and retail. Also serves as pickup location for online orders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Society of Beer Drinking Ladies organizes and hosts craft beer community events (monthly Bevy events, bi-annual Lady Beer Fest, comedy nights, workshops, and virtual tastings) for women-identified, non-binary, and gender-fluid individuals. It sells merchandise, curated Mystery Boxes, and monthly beer club subscriptions, and partners with Ontario craft breweries to produce small-batch collaboration brews distributed through partner tap rooms, the LCBO, and its own Society Clubhouse venue.

Product overview

The Society of Beer Drinking Ladies (SOBDL) operates a community-focused organization centered around women and craft beer, not a unified software platform. The core offerings include Bevy Events (monthly party events averaging 400 attendees), Lady Beer Fest (Canada's first and largest beer festival for women held bi-annually with 1000+ attendees), and a Good Tap draught initiative. These are supported by physical and product offerings: the Society Clubhouse (brick-and-mortar headquarters at 967 College St. Toronto opened 2022), Mystery Box (curated $79.99 boxes of Ontario craft beverages and artisan goods), Collaboration Brews (small batch beers with Ontario craft breweries), Swag Shop (merchandise via Square e-commerce), Virtual Beer Tastings (online tasting experiences), Monthly Beer Club Membership, Beer & Baking Workshops, and The Betty comedy show. The organization functions as a hybrid events and retail operation rather than a software-as-a-service company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lady Beer Fest: Canada's first and largest beer festival for women, held bi-annually in Toronto and attracting over 1000 women attendees.
• Bevy
• Society Clubhouse
• Mystery Box
• Good Tap

Products and services

• Bevy Events SOBDL's signature monthly craft beer community events featuring beer and cider, food vendors, music, and merchandise. Bevies average 400 attendees and are hosted regularly in Toronto, Ottawa, and Hamilton for women-identified, non-binary, and gender-fluid individuals aged 19+.
• Lady Beer Fest Canada's first and largest beer festival for women, held bi-annually in Toronto. Tickets include a festival tasting glass and unlimited tasting experience, attracting over 1,000 women per event.
• Mystery Box Curated mystery boxes containing Ontario craft beers, spirits, ciders, artisan goods from woman-owned businesses, and exclusive SOBDL swag. Priced at $79.99 + HST. Shipping available to Ontario residents only (19+); pickup available at Society Clubhouse. Non-refundable.
• Good Tap Draught initiative featuring rotating selection of women-brewed beers served at partner venues (C'est What, Spin Toronto, The Antler Room), with $1 from every pint donated to the Canadian Women's Foundation.
• Society Clubhouse SOBDL's brick-and-mortar headquarters and event venue at 967 College St., Toronto. Hosts Bevy events, tastings, private rentals, merchandise sales, and serves as pickup location for online orders.
• Swag Shop Online merchandise store offering SOBDL-branded tanks, toques, glassware, and other items. Operated via the Square e-commerce platform and also available at in-person events and the Society Clubhouse.
• Collaboration Brews Small batch collaborative beers co-produced with Ontario craft breweries (e.g., Henderson, Granite, Spearhead, Junction Craft, Nickelbrook, Left Field). Brew sizes range from a few hundred litres up to 100 hectolitres. Each brew is available by the pint in partner brewery tap rooms and to-go in cans, growlers, or bottles at brewery bottle shops.
• Virtual Beer Tastings Online guided beer tasting experiences allowing members to participate remotely, with educational components on craft beer styles and brewing.
• Monthly Beer Club Membership Recurring monthly subscription membership offering regular deliveries of curated craft beer products and exclusive access to SOBDL events and products.
• Beer & Baking Workshops Interactive in-person workshops combining craft beer with baking instruction. Priced at $50 per person, includes a beer, four cupcakes baked with craft beer, piping tips to keep, piping bags, icing, a live demo, and a recipe card.
• The Betty Monthly live stand-up comedy show held at Society Clubhouse featuring curated, pro lineups reflecting diversity within the comedy community.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 50 events thrown in first 5 years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Canadian Women's FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary charitable partner since 2014. SOBDL has raised over $50,000 with funds going to programming that supports women across Canada. A portion of proceeds from events, mystery boxes, and Good Tap initiatives are donated to the foundation.
• Henderson BrewerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary collaboration partner for multiple brews including Vanilla Orchid Brown Ale, Raspberry Lemon Ale, and NEIPA with Clementines. Location for many Bevy events and headquarters for early operations.
• Spearhead BrewerymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for New Zealand Style Pineapple Pilsner (Spring 2023) and Cherry Dark Lager (September 2023).
• Granite BrewerymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for Valiant IPA (Vermont IPA, March 2023), Peppermint Stout (Winter 2022/23), and Val (March 2020). Hosted International Women's Day 2023 event.
• C'est WhatminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost location for Good Tap draught initiative featuring rotating selection of women-brewed beers with $1 from every pint donated to Canadian Women's Foundation.
• Spin Toronto & The Antler RoomminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGood Tap partner locations featuring women-brewed beers with $1 from every pint donated to Canadian Women's Foundation.
• Junction Craft BrewerymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-time collaboration partner for brews including P.O.P! Oat Pale Ale, Livin' La Vida Mocha, and Anne Bonny's Revenge. Hosted 6th Birthday Bevy.
• Nickelbrook BrewerymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for All Zest Up With No Place To Go (Micro IPA, October 2020), We Cran Do It! (Cranberry Ginger Gose, December 2019), and funk/sour beer events.
• Left Field BrewerymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for If You Hear Any Noise (Black Forest Sour Ale, September 2019) with 50 cents from each can sold donated to Canadian Women's Foundation.
• Lakehead Beer Co.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost location for Northwestern Ontario Outpost Bevy 0001 in Thunder Bay (January 2023), expanding SOBDL presence beyond southern Ontario.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Craft Beer Girls: Community-driven platform and event series aimed at women who drink craft beer, with newsletters, tastings, and gatherings. Closely comparable to SOBDL in audience, community-building approach, and beer-education focus.
• Hop Culture: Independent media and event company covering craft beer culture, including festivals, tap takeovers, and community-driven content. Comparable to SOBDL in its blend of editorial content, events, and beer-community programming.
• Craft Beer Club: Subscription-based craft beer delivery service shipping curated beer selections to consumers. Directly comparable to SOBDL's Monthly Beer Club Membership and Mystery Box products in business model and customer experience.
• Pink Boots Society: Global non-profit advancing women in the brewing and fermented beverage industry through education, collaboration brews, and community events. Directly comparable to SOBDL in mission (women-focused craft beer community), event-driven model, and brewery collaboration partnerships.
• Untappd: Social beer-tracking app with a large craft beer enthusiast community. Comparable to SOBDL as a craft beer community engagement platform, though purely digital where SOBDL is event-and-venue-led.
• BeerAdvocate: Long-running consumer review community and event organizer around craft beer, with festivals and ticketed experiences. Comparable in community-led beer culture, events, and broad consumer engagement model.

Broad incumbents

• Stone Brewing: Established craft brewery operating taprooms and events with strong consumer community. Comparable in the combination of brewing, taproom, and event-led consumer engagement that SOBDL replicates at a smaller scale.
• New Belgium Brewing: Large U.S. craft brewer known for community events, philanthropy partnerships, and sustainability positioning. Comparable to SOBDL in pairing craft beer brand-building with community impact and event programming.
• BrewDog: Global craft brewery and taproom chain with strong event programming, brand community, and merchandise. Comparable to SOBDL as a craft beer brand with events, taproom experience, and consumer products, though at much larger scale and broader audience.

Emerging players

• PorchDrinking: Online craft beer media outlet covering events, brewery profiles, and community culture. Comparable to SOBDL in community-driven content around craft beer culture, though primarily editorial vs. physical events and retail.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ladiesdrinkbeer
• Instagraminstagram.com/ladiesdrinkbeer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/society-of-beer-drinking-ladies

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Society of Beer Drinking Ladies Inc.