Five Minutes with Faram featuring Casey from Girls Who Grain

Casey, introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your business

Casey: I’m Casey Welland, owner of Girls Who Grind Coffee. I started the roastery eight years ago. A few years ago, I decided to explore beer. After a long wait, it finally happened. The new brand is Girls Who Grain Beer, and our first release is Oh My Goth Coffee Stout.

Why is it so important to you to only use ingredients grown by women?

Casey: Girls Who Grind Coffee began with two passions: coffee and women’s empowerment. The coffee industry is male-dominated, so we source all our beans from female producers. As I enter beer, I want to highlight women’s work again. Agriculture also lacks women in leadership roles. Because of that, sourcing female-grown beer ingredients can be tough. Still, I aim to brew a beer made entirely with ingredients grown by women. For now, we use hops from Sarah Hawkins and vanilla grown by women in Tonga.

Mariana: It’s an amazing concept.

Casey: Thank you. Only about 19% of UK businesses are owned by women. Meanwhile, women do most agricultural labour worldwide. They rarely lead. I want to change that narrative.

How did you choose the coffee for your beer?

Casey: The beer needed a bold, dark roast that could shine through. Oh My Goth was perfect because it is our darkest roast.

Do you find any similarities between coffee and beer?

Casey: Both involve tasting, language, and sensory training. I’m a Q grader, so I use specific tasting terms. Beer has the same energy. Both drinks also bring people together, which matters to me.

Casey: Today’s world is digital and often isolating. These drinks give people a chance to connect in person.

Favourite beer destination – UK or Worldwide?

Casey: Recently, I loved a small bar in Barcelona. They played jazz and had many non-alcoholic beers. I don’t drink alcohol, but I love beer flavour. In Spain, non-alcoholic beer is normal and widely available.

What’s one essential item on your work day?

Casey: Coffee, of course! But honestly, my phone. I dislike relying on it, yet it’s vital for marketing.

Do you listen to anything during your work day? Album, Music, Podcast?

Casey: If the team is busy, I play LCD Soundsystem to boost energy. For calm mornings, I choose folk or Americana. I love Doc Watson and Big Thief. If Harry Styles comes on, I’m definitely dancing.

If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?

Casey: I’d probably be a park ranger. I love the idea of hiking all day and living in a quiet cabin. I studied sociology, so I might also do research in gender studies.

Who’s your biggest professional inspiration?

Casey: Many female business owners inspire me. We need more women in leadership. When I freeze during interviews, I tend to say Oprah, so I’ll say Oprah again!

Any hobbies outside work?

Casey: I love hiking and spending time outdoors. I also enjoy reading emotional, dramatic novels. Nicholas Sparks always makes me cry.

What will be your next beer release?

Casey: I want to brew Girl Crush IPA. I love fruity and hoppy beers, so I’m excited for it.

What’s next for you in the industry?

Casey: I want to expand the range and continue sourcing ingredients grown by women. I’m excited to grow the brand and release more beers.