Jaega Wise
Jaega Wise | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth year and age London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Beer brewer, activist, broadcaster, author |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Known for | Head brewer and co-founder of Wild Card Brewery; advocate for diversity in brewing; broadcaster on BBC Radio 4's The Food Programme and Amazon Prime's Beer Masters |
Jaega Wise ( ; born 1988) is a British beer brewer, activist, broadcaster, and author. Originally from London and raised in Nottingham, she serves as head brewer and co-founder of the London-based Wild Card Brewery. In 2018, the British Guild of Beer Writers honored her with the "Brewer of the Year" title.
Prior to entering brewing, Wise pursued a degree in chemical engineering and worked as a chemicals trader. Beyond her brewing career, she is an advocate addressing issues such as sexism, racial inequality, and disability within the beer and beverage industries. Her broadcasting credits include presenting roles on BBC Radio 4's The Food Programme and Amazon Prime's Beer Masters, as well as guest appearances as a beer sommelier on ITV’s ‘Love Your Weekend’ with Alan Titchmarsh.
Early life
Born in London in 1988, Wise spent part of her childhood in her maternal grandparents' homeland of Trinidad and Tobago. She returned to the UK around age six or seven and grew up in Nottingham. In 2010, she earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Loughborough University. During her studies, she completed a placement as a process technician at General Electric. Following graduation, Wise relocated to London to work internationally as a chemicals trader for Whyte Chemicals.
Wild Card Brewery
After three years working in chemical trading, Wise transitioned into the hospitality sector by working across various London bars and breweries. In 2012, together with her partner William Harris and his friend Andrew Birkby, she co-founded Wild Card Brewery. The trio—enthusiastic Nottingham beer festival attendees and homebrewers—utilized Wise’s chemical engineering expertise to facilitate their move into professional brewing.
Wild Card began as a "cuckoo" brewery, producing beer using other breweries’ equipment. They later installed a small-scale brewing system in a pub cellar but quickly outgrew this setup. In 2014, they acquired commercial premises in Walthamstow, northeast London. As Wild Card grew, Wise received acclaim and was named joint winner of the British Guild of Beer Writers’ "Brewer of the Year" award in 2018 alongside John Keeling of Fuller's Brewery. She stressed the importance of maintaining affordable pricing for their beers despite ongoing gentrification in Walthamstow. Wild Card Brewery ceased operations in October 2024.
Campaigning
Wise has been an active voice advocating reform within the brewing industry. In November 2017, she called on organizations such as the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) and the Campaign for Real Ale to exclude beers featuring sexist language or imagery from festivals and competitions. She also suggested implementing an advertising code of conduct for breweries. Alongside brewers like Sara Barton and Sophie de Ronde, Wise promotes greater female participation in the historically male-centric brewing field. She frequently takes part in the International Women's Collaboration Brew Day held annually to celebrate International Women's Day. In 2018, Wise was elected as one of three SIBA directors representing the South East region.
Her debut book, Wild Brews, was released on 19 May 2022. Aimed at home brewers, it delves into beers crafted through spontaneous fermentation worldwide, covering styles such as lambic, gose, and farmhouse ale.
Broadcasting career
In addition to her brewing expertise, Wise has been a frequent contributor to BBC Radio 4's The Food Programme since 2018. Her work in this role led to her receiving the British Guild of Beer Writers' "Best Beer Broadcaster" award in 2020. She has used her platform to highlight important social topics within the beverage sector, including issues related to race and disability, as well as sharing her experiences with racist and sexist abuse encountered on social media. Wise has also served as a co-presenter on Channel 5's The Wine Show, working alongside actors Matthew Goode, Matthew Rhys, and wine connoisseur Joe Fattorini.
In October 2021, it was revealed that Wise would co-host the Amazon Prime series Beer Masters with musician and pub owner James Blunt. The program, consisting of five episodes, showcased homebrewers competing by replicating various international beer styles.