How do you feel about beer flights? Here at A Woman’s Brew both Tori and Jo are big advocates for beer flights - both for beer choices, pour size and beer education. But there is a debate going on as to whether a beer flight works for breweries and taprooms – does it slow down service? Not give the best representation of the beer? Or maybe there isn’t enough space for glass storage?

We look through two articles and decide if we agree with the opinions, of if we are still pro-flight.

What are your thoughts on beer flights? Are you for or against?

Check out the articles here:

Article one from Inside Hook:

https://www.insidehook.com/beer/why-breweries-saying-no-beer-flights

Article two from Punch Drink:

https://punchdrink.com/articles/craft-beer-flights-debate/

And here is the image of the Russian River flight:

https://www.reddit.com/r/CraftBeer/comments/11hpz0j/joined_this_sub_to_let_you_know_that_russian/

Get in Touch:

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.lovebeerlearning.co.uk

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

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

Tori: @adventures_in_hoptimism

Joanne: @lovebeerlearning

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

Subscribe:

· iTunes

· Spotify

· Google

· Stitcher

· TuneIn

Watch:

YouTube

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

This week, Tori and Rik take us on a journey through their recent trip to Brussels, focusing on their fascinating tour at Cantillon Brewery. They'll compare this unique experience to other brewery tours they've been on, highlighting the complexities and history of lambic brewing in Brussels.

Beyond the brewery, they'll recount their adventures in the city—from discovering hidden gems like La Source and Stella Coffee to navigating the challenges of finding quality street food and managing travel anxieties. Whether it's savouring a luxurious bourbon barrel-aged coffee stout or exploring the Delirium Village, they bring you their honest opinions and helpful travel tips.

So grab your favourite brew, settle in, and join us as we explore the vibrant beer culture and rich history of Brussels in this thrilling episode!

What’s your favourite Belgian brew? Let us know!

Get in Touch:

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.lovebeerlearning.co.uk

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

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

Tori: @adventures_in_hoptimism

Joanne: @lovebeerlearning

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

Subscribe:

· iTunes

· Spotify

· Google

· Stitcher

· TuneIn

Watch:

YouTube

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

Back by popular demand (if you don’t listen to Tori!), Rik joins Tori to talk about their recent Belgian excursion to the Toer De Geuze where tradition meets the bubbling excitement of craft brewing. They embraced the unique opportunity to peek behind the curtains of some of Belgium's most revered Lambic breweries and blenders.

But! Navigating this event, that only happens every two years, can be a bit challenging. They share their top tips for planning and budgeting for the trip and how to find your way to the event hosted by Horal – The High Council for Artisanal Lambic Beers.

Tori and Rik visited Tilquin, Lambiek Fabriek, Kestemont and De Cam, each having their own unique attributes and activities for the day.

Has this inspired you to plan a trip for the next Toer De Geuze or do you have other tips to help travellers to the Pajottenland? Let us know!

You can find out more about the Toer De Geuze here:

https://horal.be/en/events/toer-de-geuze/

And read the blog post that Jo found here:

https://thebeernut.blogspot.com/2017/05/geuze-bus-tours.html?m=1

Get in Touch:

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.lovebeerlearning.co.uk

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

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

Tori: @adventures_in_hoptimism

Joanne: @lovebeerlearning

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

Subscribe:

· iTunes

· Spotify

· Google

· Stitcher

· TuneIn

Watch:

YouTube

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

This episode takes a unique spin as we explore the landscape of top-rated beers, sipping our way through Julius by Treehouse and some of it’s variants. We'll navigate the world of exceptional beers, discussing the finer points that elevate a beer to "top-rated" status.

Tori shares her experiences of visiting Treehouse while she was in the US and Jo walks you through her Try All The Beers blog series. We’ll help you put together your bucket list of beers you must try with this episode!

We drink through Julius (will Jo like it?!) and it’s variants Queen Julius and Cobbler – are these beers worthy of being top rated?

What are your top rated beers and what’s on your beer bucket list? Let us know!

Get in Touch:

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.lovebeerlearning.co.uk

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

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

Tori: @adventures_in_hoptimism

Joanne: @lovebeerlearning

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

Subscribe:

· iTunes

· Spotify

· Google

· Stitcher

· TuneIn

Watch:

YouTube

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

This week, we're embarking on a flavourful journey south of the border to explore the enigmatic world of Mexican lagers. But do we once again have more questions than answers? We contrast craft enthusiasms with macro lager charm and question how a slice of lime became synonymous with a whole genre of beer.

From the Austrian-brewed history of the Vienna lager's Mexican adventures to the European and American perspectives that have painted our knowledge of these beers, we not only taste some UK versions but alos look at the colonial history of Mexico that has shaped it’s brewing heritage.

So whether you have a Corona in hand or a Cerveza, join us while we try to define what a ‘Mexican Lager’ actually is.

In this episode we drink:

Cerveza from Fierce Beer

Luz from Omnipollo

Mexican Lager from Northern Monk.

Do you have Mexican beer recs for us? Let us know your top picks!

Here are the articles that Jo recommends you read about Mexican lager:

https://www.casketbeer.com/home/2022/12/1/mexican-lager-history-and-appropriation

https://beerisforeveryone.com/colonialism-and-the-legacy-of-lager-in-mexico/amp/

Get in Touch:

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.lovebeerlearning.co.uk

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

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

Tori: @adventures_in_hoptimism

Joanne: @lovebeerlearning

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

Subscribe:

· iTunes

· Spotify

· Google

· Stitcher

· TuneIn

Watch:

YouTube

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

In this episode we tap into the world of core beer ranges, the power of first beer impressions, and the essence of a brewery's core lineup. What makes a great core range and what do you expect from a brewery’s flagship beers? Do you have a favourite core range?

We also took this opportunity to taste through some beers Jo brought back from the US from Alaskan Brewing Co – one of the breweries that got her into beer. Tori and Jo share a selection of the beers that started their craft beer journeys – with some interesting overlaps!

Oh! And Tori gamifies the system by testing Jo’s knowledge of core range beers!

What beers started your craft beer journey? Let us know!

Get in Touch:

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.lovebeerlearning.co.uk

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

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

Tori: @adventures_in_hoptimism

Joanne: @lovebeerlearning

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

Subscribe:

· iTunes

· Spotify

· Google

· Stitcher

· TuneIn

Watch:

YouTube

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

It's been a wild ride this first quarter of 2024, keeping us busy when we should be working on our beer goals and the drink harder challenge! Despite our best efforts to stay on top of our beer check-ins and tracking, we admit, keeping up has been a bit of a struggle. But it's all in the name of good beer and great company!

But! We have a few updates for you, including our memorable visit to Craft Beer Junction and savouring beers blended with intriguing fruits. Jo chats about her dedication to tracking the beer styles she tries this year and how she faced mixed emotions when drinking a whiskey drink, a vodka drink, a lager drink, and a cider drink – all in one sitting!

Tori is on a mission to widen her circle of beer appreciation and engage in heartfelt conversations with fellow enthusiasts. She tells us of her experience of hosting her first panel and is planning some trips in 2024 – so make sure you are following us on socials to see where she ends up.

Oh!.... Did we mention we’re in a book too?!

How are your beer goals going so far in 2024? Let us know!

You can grab your copy of ‘The Devil is in the Draught Lines’ here:

https://shop1.camra.org.uk/product/the-devils-in-the-draught-lines-1000-years-of-women-in-britains-beer-history/

Get in Touch:

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.lovebeerlearning.co.uk

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

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

Tori: @adventures_in_hoptimism

Joanne: @lovebeerlearning

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

Subscribe:

· iTunes

· Spotify

· Google

· Stitcher

· TuneIn

Watch:

YouTube

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

This week, we're delving deep into the world of hops with Siren’s thrilling challenge of "Guess the Hop." Using the challenge as a starting point, we guide you through the intense and important process of judging hops for brewing, discussing the meticulous attention to detail and keen sense of smell required. We share our experiences of identifying different hops, the tools and techniques we recommend, and the impact of unconscious bias in the tasting process.

Together, we will take you on a journey through the complexities of hop selection, exploring the variability in scent and quality influenced by factors such as weather, agricultural changes, and the location where hops are grown. From rubbing hop samples to using sensory wheels, books and single hopped beers, we will provide valuable insights into the intricate art of discerning hop aromas and flavours.

Moreover, we’ll share our thoughts on the influence of suggestion and external descriptions on the perception of flavours in beer, offering valuable tips and considerations for both seasoned tasters and beginner beer enthusiasts. So, join us as unravel the complexities of identifying hops in beer. It's a hop-filled adventure you won't want to miss!

Read more about Siren’s Guess The Hop challenge here:

https://www.sirencraftbrew.com/stories-and-events/blog/guess-the-hop

You can still buy the beers here:

https://www.sirencraftbrew.com/browse/guess-the-hop

And find Mark Dredge’s hop wheel here:

https://www.beerdredge.com/beer-wheel

What’s your favourite hop? Let us know!

Get in Touch:

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.lovebeerlearning.co.uk

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

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

Tori: @adventures_in_hoptimism

Joanne: @lovebeerlearning

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

Subscribe:

· iTunes

· Spotify

· Google

· Stitcher

· TuneIn

Watch:

YouTube

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

He’s back! Our mate, Matt Lincoln, formerly of Siren and Unbarred, and who has been on the podcast a couple of times, is leaving us to move to the US! Tori took the opportunity to ask him about the move and revisit his background in beer.

Matt gives us his current insights into Atlanta, where he is moving to, and adds his top tips for moving a beer stash to another country.

Also – does lager pair with Victoria Sponge? How much Yorkshire Tea is he packing? And what are his hot takes on controversial US drinking practices? Listen to find out!

Get in Touch:

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.lovebeerlearning.co.uk

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

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

Tori: @adventures_in_hoptimism

Joanne: @lovebeerlearning

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

Subscribe:

· iTunes

· Spotify

· Google

· Stitcher

· TuneIn

Watch:

YouTube

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

Tasting beers blind is a hard task, but it’s also really fun! This week we are trying to guess what Yonder’s 2024 mystery beers are and arguing about it along the way!

We discuss blind beer tastings in general – they are a great way to train your tasting palate - and ways you can set up your own. As it happens, Jo has a kit for that in her Etsy shop!

Have you tried this year’s mystery beers? What do you think they are?

You can still enter Yonder’s competition until 31stMarch, find out more information here:

https://brewyonder.co.uk/blogs/news/mystery-beers-project-2024

And if you want to see what we thought of last year’s mystery beers, head over to Ko-Fi and buy us a beer here:

https://ko-fi.com/awomansbrew

Grab Jo’s Blind Beer Tasting Kit here:

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1381261666/blind-beer-tasting-kit-printable-beer?click_key=6435582d279d6e65afe53dea6deab8c33ca6e74f%3A1381261666&click_sum=0e99d724&ref=shop_home_active_2&crt=1

Get in Touch:

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.lovebeerlearning.co.uk

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

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

Tori: @adventures_in_hoptimism

Joanne: @lovebeerlearning

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

Subscribe:

· iTunes

· Spotify

· Google

· Stitcher

· TuneIn

Watch:

YouTube

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