What's in a name?

Naming our beers was one of the trickier tasks we came up against when designing our branding. There are so many craft beer legends out there with super creative, clever and witty names. After thinking long and hard and after lots of puns and plays on words (mostly from co-founder John) we realised that we may have been trying to be something we’re not.

Now that’s not to say we aren’t creative, clever or witty…we just forgot that starting the Copper Beech Brewing company was a very personal journey. Each beer has been brewed from the heart with a memory attached and we didn’t want to keep it all to ourselves so we thought what better way to share them with you? Read on to find out how your beer got its name.

Tilley's Influence

On Tuesday, February 18th, we welcomed women from hospitality venues across Worcestershire to join us in brewing a special release for International Women’s Day 2025.

During our brew day, we gathered to brainstorm a name and felt it was only fitting to honor a female legend of Worcester: Matilda Alice Powles. Born in Worcester in 1864, she rose to prominence as one of the most successful and pioneering performers in British entertainment history, best known for her male impersonation roles under the stage name Vesta Tilley.

Vesta Tilley was a powerful cultural figure, particularly during World War I, when her performances not only entertained but also inspired men to enlist. She challenged gender norms and became one of the highest-paid women of her time, using her platform to influence society—a legacy that aligns with the ongoing fight for women’s voices in policy and activism.

Her trailblazing career in performance and gender expression mirrors today’s push for gender equality. In many ways, Tilley’s defiance of restrictive gender roles and her ability to shape public discourse embody this year’s International Women’s Day theme: Accelerate Action. While she was just one figure in history, her influence contributed to the progress we continue to fight for today. We are grateful for Tilley’s influence.

For every sale of Tilley's Influence we will be donating to local charity The DAWN Project.

Shop Tilley's Influence