This week on A Women’s Brew, we’re geeking out over one of the most fascinating bits of brewing heritage — the Burton Union system — and sharing how Thornbridge Brewery has rescued part of it for a new chapter in Bakewell. We kick things off with some quality sticker chat, a Queer Brewing shirt reveal, and the story of our very mismatched bottle openers before cracking open two Thornbridge beers brewed on their very own “Thornbridge Set.” Expect tasting notes that range from cosy, rainy-day pub corners to sunny beer garden sessions.

Jo takes you on a trip through the history of the Union system — how it was designed in the 1800s to create crystal-clear, flavour-packed ales, why it almost disappeared in 2024, and how brewing legend Garrett Oliver stepped in to make sure it lived on at Thornbridge and Epochal. Along the way, we share what makes this setup so unique (there are swan necks, troughs, and a lot of cleaning involved), and we even throw a bit of shade at Firestone Walker’s bucket-based “adaptation.”

And because we can’t resist having some fun with our beer facts, Tori brings out 100% fictional, 110% fun “facts” about the Thornbridge Set — haunted barrels, jazzy saxophone pipes, and hedgehog hydration included. Whether you’re a beer history buff, a brewing process nerd, or just here for the laughs, you’ll have a pint’s worth of fun with us.

Here are the articles we reference in the episode:

Roger Prost’s article

https://wb.camra.org.uk/2024/06/24/beautiful-beast-now-brewing-in-bakewell

Thornbridge blog post

https://thornbridgebrewery.co.uk/pages/union?srsltid=AfmBOoo9fXuxZ5kKsYjHUbhnn5NX06iZiLAYyVa_o0wRpDhD7bIbE596

Anthony Gladman article with diagram:

Once More for the Union

Get in Touch:

Website: https://awomansbrewpod.beer/

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Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

In this hilarious and heartwarming episode of A Woman's Brew, Tori and Joanne welcome back fan-favourite Tom Bacon for a deep dive into the quirks and charms of Northern British pub culture. From the legend of the meat raffle to the mystery of why every walk to and from a Sheffield pub is somehow uphill, Tom shares his encyclopaedic and entertaining knowledge of pub traditions, language oddities, and cask beer etiquette. Expect tales of bread cakes, sandwich knives, and the enduring debate around sparkler usage.

The trio dig into what makes a proper pub—from sticky floors and unwelcoming stares to lovingly rude bar staff—and highlight some of their favourite watering holes across the UK. Whether you're a seasoned pub-goer or just pub-curious, this episode is packed with insights into what makes these community spaces so special. They even discuss creating a collaborative Google Map of their top picks, so listeners can join in the pub-crawling fun.

As always, the conversation is as educational as it is chaotic. Tom quizzes the hosts on British pub trivia (do you know the most common pub name in the UK?), reveals why meat hampers are a perfectly normal prize, and passionately champions the cultural importance of cask beer. If you’ve ever wondered how to spot a working men's club or what a Wigan kebab really is, this is the episode for you. Don’t forget to support your local—it might just be hiding the best pint and pie of your life.

And here is our collaborative map of great pubs – add your faves as well:

https://www.google.com/maps/@51.2257671,1.1870816,14z/data=!4m3!11m2!2snOZjwUXGTeuTcMJ2i270VQ!3e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDcyOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Get in Touch:

Website: https://awomansbrewpod.beer/

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awomansbrew/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AWomansBrew

Tori: @adventures_in_hoptimism

Joanne: @lovebeerlearning

Jo’s website: http://www.lovebeerlearning.co.uk

Support us: https://ko-fi.com/awomansbrew

Join our 2025 drinking challenge here

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Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

It’s time for another quarterly catch-up on A Woman’s Brew, where we dive deep into our beer journeys and reflect on the highs, lows, and chaos of the past three months. We embrace the spirit of imperfection and decide what goals are serving us and which we should Marie Kondo!

We share the latest on our evolving beer goals, tracking progress against ever-expanding spreadsheets and the ever-challenging Untappd style checklist. Get a peek behind the scenes as we discuss the thrill (and sometimes frustration) of seeking out beers with unusual ingredients (hello, squid ink!), completing can rainbows, and tackling prompts from the “Drink Harder” Challenge.

Of course, there’s plenty of chat about standout drinking moments—from wild experiences at festivals to awkward (but empowering) returns of off pints at the bar. Expect laughs as we dig into the nuances of cask beer, the complexity of Untappd’s ever-shifting categories, and the genuine delight of recommending, swapping, and sipping beers together.

Whether you’re meticulously tracking your beer styles or just here for the laughs let us know how your 2025 is going so far!

And if you want to join us on the A Woman’s Brew Drinking Challenge, you can download the prompts PDF here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KMP2T9RRaaM8XA-jbj4XIyu-QCvX56iD/view?usp=drive_link

Get in Touch:

Website: https://awomansbrewpod.beer/

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awomansbrew/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AWomansBrew

Tori: @adventures_in_hoptimism

Joanne: @lovebeerlearning

Jo’s website: http://www.lovebeerlearning.co.uk

Support us: https://ko-fi.com/awomansbrew

Join our 2025 drinking challenge here

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Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

In this episode of A Woman’s Brew, we look at our next bucket list beer and take a deep dive into one of the UK’s most influential beers: Thornbridge’s Jaipur. Celebrating 20 years of this modern classic, we crack open both the original Jaipur IPA and its alcohol-free sibling, to see if the peak beer of the Peak District still holds up. Expect honest tasting notes, thoughts on what makes Jaipur such a fridge staple, and plenty of laughter about surprising flavor finds — including the unmistakable Maris Otter malt backbone.

We break down how Jaipur helped shape the UK craft scene by bringing bold American hops to British drinkers back in 2005, and share a quick Thornbridge history lesson — from stables in Derbyshire to award-winning brews and legendary collaborations. We also compare how the alcohol-free version stacks up against the original, chatting through the pros and cons for designated drivers who still want a hoppy hit.

Beyond the beer, Joanne and Tori swap stories about visiting Thornbridge’s impressive Bakewell taproom (yes, there’s pizza and barbecue-ready meats too!) and give top tips for a Peak District brewery weekend. And, true to form, we go on the best kind of tangents: Bakewell tarts vs. puddings and a cheeky AI experiment that brings “Gavin Thornby” — the imaginary personification of Jaipur — hilariously to life.

Whether you’re a Jaipur veteran or a curious newbie, this episode is a love letter to a beer that’s stood the test of time. Join as we toast to Thornbridge’s legacy — and maybe inspire you to plan your own brewery road trip soon!

Get in Touch:

Website: https://awomansbrewpod.beer/

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awomansbrew/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AWomansBrew

Tori: @adventures_in_hoptimism

Joanne: @lovebeerlearning

Jo’s website: http://www.lovebeerlearning.co.uk

Support us: https://ko-fi.com/awomansbrew

Join our 2025 drinking challenge here

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Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

It’s time for another dive into the Question Jar! (or should we say, the Tell-All Tankard?) In this episode, Tori and Jo catch up after a hectic week, cracking open a couple of colourful beers—including one that turns your tongue blue—and sharing what’s been going on in their lives. From Aussie Schwarzbiers to imperial gelato sours, there’s plenty of tasting chat and spontaneous tangents sparked by what’s in our glasses. Also: plushies, ice cream nostalgia, and why a gumball at the bottom of your Mr. Whippy might be the hill you die on.

Food and beer pairing gets its moment in the spotlight, with us discussing our favourite comfort meals and the beers we’d choose to go with them—whether it’s spicy tacos with a juicy NEIPA or a fresh salad with a zingy gose. There’s also time for beer memories, from Tori’s Tokyo sunset pint to Joanne’s cruise ship Sam Adams epiphany, plus thoughts on how we share (or don’t share) our beer fridges with guests. Spoiler: if you’re offered something from the stash, you know you’re loved.

June also means Pride Month, so there’s a passionate discussion about supporting queer breweries all year round—not just for the rainbow beer photo op. Tori shares her work beer fridge win, and Joanne recommends a few books from her Prideopoly reading challenge. Camping plans, upcoming travel, and the eternal challenge of choosing the right beers to pack for a weekend away round out a warm, funny, and wide-ranging episode. Stay fresh, cheesebags!

Get in Touch:

Website: https://awomansbrewpod.beer/

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awomansbrew/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AWomansBrew

Tori: @adventures_in_hoptimism

Joanne: @lovebeerlearning

Jo’s website: http://www.lovebeerlearning.co.uk

Support us: https://ko-fi.com/awomansbrew

Join our 2025 drinking challenge here

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Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

This week we are chatting to Mirella Amato – the most qualified beer judge in Canada!  Mirella not only has a wealth of knowledge from her experience in the beer industry and a multitude of qualifications, she has also literally written the book on it!

We chat to Mirella about her journey in beer so far and her work with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) in creating their new beer qualifications.  She gives us her tips for getting into beer judging and where to start with beer education – but remember!  We all come to the table with our own tasting experience and palate. 

Mirella has also written a book about beer and has an online beer and food pairing course you should check out! And then we get into Sake – it’s a fun ride of an episode!

Are you as inspired as us to get some more beer education?!

Find out more about Mirella on her website here:

https://beerology.ca/

Find Mirella’s book here:

https://beerology.ca/the-book/

Find her beer & food pairing course here:

https://beerology.ca/mastering-beer-food/

Find where to study with WSET here:

https://www.wsetglobal.com/where-to-study

Get in Touch:

Website: https://awomansbrewpod.beer/

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awomansbrew/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AWomansBrew

Tori: @adventures_in_hoptimism

Joanne: @lovebeerlearning

Jo’s website: http://www.lovebeerlearning.co.uk

Support us: https://ko-fi.com/awomansbrew

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Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

This week we catch up, after far too long, with Sophie from Buxton Brewery.  We first met Sophie at IWCBD at Heist back in 2022 and we are excited to hear about her adventures since then.

Sophie shared 3 excellent beers from Buxton with us – Plan Bee, a honey pale ale, Adventure is Worthwhile, a Kviek NEIPA from IWCBD and The Wang Doodle, an American brown. 

We talk about Sophie’s journey into beer, her involvement in International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day and her experience of brewing internships.  We also here about her time at Buxton and her tips for visiting the brewery.

We loved catching up with Sophie and can’t wait to have her back on again! Who do you want to hear us interview next?

Go grab the tasty beers we had over at Buxton’s webshop here:

https://buxtonbrewery.co.uk/shop/

Get in Touch:

Website: https://awomansbrewpod.beer/

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awomansbrew/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AWomansBrew

Tori: @adventures_in_hoptimism

Joanne: @lovebeerlearning

Jo’s website: http://www.lovebeerlearning.co.uk

Support us: https://ko-fi.com/awomansbrew

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Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

We’ve got a long one for you this week as we welcome Kate Hyde from Hand Brew Co to join us once again!

This time we take the opportunity to hear about Kate’s journey into beer – it is captivating!  We then dive right into International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day.  Kate shares how she planned her first event, we talk about this year’s brew at Hand Brew Co, celebrating all the great people that attended and made the day special.  Kate also shares how she goes about planning the event each year to make sure it is jam packed with value for the attendees.  And we chat about her role as a mentor on the Women in Beer mentorship programme.

We drink Hand Brew Co’s IWCBD beer, Shimmy Up together and even get into hop innovations and trends.

This is an episode full of laughter and info – go grab yourself some Shimmy Up to drink while you listen here:

https://www.handbrewco.shop/products/shimmy-up-dipa-8-4-hand-x-iwcbd

The beer will raise money for the Women In Beer mentorship programme, donate to the fund yourself by joining the Women in Beer Patreon here:

https://www.patreon.com/WomenInBeerProjects

And find out more about IWCBD and Women on Tap here:

https://unitebrew.org/

Did you attend an IWCBD or have you drunk any of the beers brewed for International Women’s Day?  Let us know!

Get in Touch:

Website: https://awomansbrewpod.beer/

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awomansbrew/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AWomansBrew

Tori: @adventures_in_hoptimism

Joanne: @lovebeerlearning

Jo’s website: http://www.lovebeerlearning.co.uk

Support us: https://ko-fi.com/awomansbrew

Join our 2025 drinking challenge here

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Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

We’ve been inspired by Mauldon’s Brewery and their International Women’s Day beer Anna Maria, to find out about some lesser know women in beer.

We find out more about Anna Maria, the founder of Mauldon’s.  We also introduce you to Mary Lisle and reintroduce you to Sister Doris, who you may remember from A Woman’s Place Is In The Brewhouse by Tara Nurin.

Do you have any women you’d like us to feature in future episodes?  Let us know!

Find out more about Anna Maria and Mauldon’s here:

https://mauldons.co.uk/pages/history?srsltid=AfmBOopAiNWDho1UXFm2gn0X8ZzcWXDBJvEDO-XcRB1qzPqCEAJyICz7

Read the article by Miller about Mary Lisle here:

https://www.molsoncoorsblog.com/miller-lite-mary-lisle-brewster-alewives

And read about Sister Doris here:

https://www.npr.org/2021/08/23/1026707774/a-pilgrimage-to-meet-germanys-last-beer-brewing-nun

If you are interested in more stories about women in beer, we recommend these books by Tara Nurin and Dr Christina Wade:

https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/a-woman-s-place-is-in-the-brewhouse-a-forgotten-history-of-alewives-brewsters-witches-and-ceos-tara-nurin/5753551?ean=9781641603423

https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-devil-s-in-the-draught-lines-1000-years-of-women-in-britain-s-beer-history-dr-christina-wade/7621870?ean=9781852493868

https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/filthy-queens-a-history-of-beer-in-ireland-dr-christina-wade/7738083?ean=9781738479528

Get in Touch:

Website: https://awomansbrewpod.beer/

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awomansbrew/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AWomansBrew

Tori: @adventures_in_hoptimism

Joanne: @lovebeerlearning

Jo’s website: http://www.lovebeerlearning.co.uk

Support us: https://ko-fi.com/awomansbrew

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Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

It’s April already – so that can mean only one thing… Our quarter 1 review!

Jo can’t remember any of her bear goals, so sets herself some new ones.  Tori is making good progress and we are both filling up the super spreadsheet of (beer) wonder!

We share our highlights from the first quarter of the year, our plans for Q2 and how we are doing with the A Woman’s Brew challenge and the Drink Harder challenge.

Are you joining us on our beer challenge?  Check our links to download the challenge list!

Get in Touch:

Website: https://awomansbrewpod.beer/

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awomansbrew/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AWomansBrew

Tori: @adventures_in_hoptimism

Joanne: @lovebeerlearning

Jo’s website: http://www.lovebeerlearning.co.uk

Support us: https://ko-fi.com/awomansbrew

Join our 2025 drinking challenge here

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Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com