SINGAPORE, Aug 20 — Once, someone had asked brewer Crystalla Huang what she did for a living. And when she replied that she brewed beer, the person’s response was: "You brew beer? Are you sure you don’t brew coffee?”

This is just one of many "doubters” the young brewmaster — who is the first female Singaporean brewmaster — meets in the course of her work. And there are plenty — after all, the industry she thrives in is dominated by men, and it is also a job that is physically demanding.

"They don’t mean it as a joke,” said Huang when sharing the anecdote. "They really don’t expect girls to brew beer. But the funny thing is, in ancient times, the women were actually the ones brewing.”

Huang will be hosting a sampling session of RedDot BrewHouse’s beers, as part of the third instalment of the Singapore Craft Beer Week, starting from today to next Saturday.

The 25-year-old admitted what she does is not simple. "Brewing requires a lot of technical knowledge, willingness to get your hands dirty, and enduring the heat and heavy lifting,” she said. A beer keg, for example, weighs around 45kg, while a bag of malt weighs 25kg. "Each time we brew we use about 200kg (of malt), so that’s quite a lot of malt being carried up and down.”

Craft beer brewed by RedDot BrewHouse. — Handout via TODAY

She added: "Because of the physical demands, it’s no wonder many girls choose not to enter into this industry. If you want to be in this, you just have got to be tough, work harder and work smarter. Then, you can talk about gaining respect and credibility.”

Huang, who has a Bachelor in Culinary Arts from The Culinary Institute of America, said working in a male-dominated industry "is challenging, interesting, hilarious and really fun”. As for her doubters, she remains firmly resolute. "You just got to tune them out, prove them wrong and just ‘do, do and do’, like what my mother always says,” she said.

Huang, a certified brewmaster, grew up in a culture of brewing — her father, Ernest Ng, owns local brewery RedDot BrewHouse and is a self-trained brewer and home brewer since 1997. But what really inspired her was when RedDot BrewHouse opened when she was 16.

"We were brewing deep into the night, I was helping in the kitchen, serving during dinners and tapping beer — and I loved every moment of it,” she said. "I love beers because there are so many different styles, taste and varieties. Even among the same styles there are different variations in flavour. There is a huge beer world out there that many of us are not aware of.”

Beer flavours are what Huang has poured her efforts into. The self-professed "daredevil” in her food and drinks preference said her culinary background and travelling experiences were great exposures, allowing her to have a greater appreciation for ingredients, flavours, colours and creativity.

Exterior of RedDot BrewHouse, which features its brewery right in front. — Handout via TODAY

"My mind buzzes whenever I try new and interesting food, and I am always thinking of how I can translate it into beers,” she shared. Some of her creations include an Earl Grey tea-flavoured beer and Yuzu beer, which showcases the Japanese citrus.

So what would she recommend to women who don’t like beer? Weizenbier, or wheat beer, she said, as it does not have the "hoppiness” or bitterness of a beer. She also suggested the RedDot Lime wheat, which is refreshing.

"You cannot say you like or dislike a certain food or beverage unless you have tried it at least eight different times,” she quipped. "Your mood, environment and so many other factors can wreck havoc on your taste buds, so give beer a chance.” — TODAY

*Singapore Craft Beer Week runs from today to next Saturday at various locations. For more information, visit www.singaporecraftbeerweek.com