Beer with Nat

For this final episode of the ‘Beer with Nat’ podcast, we’re going full circle… all the way back to Episode #001.

Today’s guest is Jaega Wise, Head Brewer at Wild Card Brewery and my very first guest when the show kicked off in November 2018.

We start by checking in with Jaega on what she’s been up to since then, including seeing the brewery through the pandemic, launching their new barrel program, hosting a TV series and publishing a book. (Yep, she’s been busy!)

Then, as a thank you to Jaega for helping me get the show off the ground all those years go… she gets to turn the tables and interview me!   

We chat all about my career, what I was up to before beer, what I enjoy most about being part of the beer industry and plenty more.

We have a lot of laughs, too. I hope you enjoy listening in.

Here’s Jaega…

Today’s guest is Helen Anne Smith (they/them), Founder of Burum Collective.

We start by discussing what Burum Collective is all about, what inspired Helen to set it up during the first pandemic lockdown in 2020, the resources they offer currently and what their goals are for the future.

Then we get into what keeps Helen busy alongside Burum, including part-time roles as a bartender and in sales and marketing for Wilderness Brewery and Welsh Mountain Cider.  

Finally, Helen lets us in on what they were up to before beer, how they got their start in the beer industry, and, of course, what they enjoy most about being a part of it.

Here’s Helen…

Today’s guest is Maia Kazas, European Events Manager at global hop company Barth-Haas.

To start, Maia tells us what Barth-Haas does, what her role as events manager entails and how her work was impacted by the pandemic, given that most of the activities she’d normally be organizing were put on hold the past two years.

Maia then shares what she was up to before beer and how she made her transition into the beer industry – more specifically, into working with hops. You’ll get to hear all about her experience working on a hop farm in New Zealand and what it was like for her to move from the US to the UK for her job… without ever visiting first!

We also discuss one of Maia’s other passions: mead. And lastly, Maia lets us in on what she enjoys most about being a part of the beer industry.

Here’s Maia…

Today’s guest is Lucie Dallas, General Manager of The Griffin Pub in Whetstone, North London.

To start, Lucie tells us what her day-to-day work life as a pub GM looks like, including a run-down of the different tasks on her to-do list and the skills she thinks it takes to really excel in her role.

We then discuss what it was like to see the pub – her business, her team and her customers – through all of the pandemic-related challenges of the last two years.

Finally, Lucie shares what she was up to before beer, the different roles she’s held during her time in the beer industry and, of course, what she enjoys most about being a part of it.

Here’s Lucie…

Today’s guest is Helena Adedipe, Co-Founder of Eko Brewery.

To start, Helena tells us what inspired her and her husband, Anthony, to set up the business in 2019 and talks us through some of the unique ingredients and considerations behind their distinctive African-inspired beers.

We then discuss what her role looks like today and what keeps Helena busy outside the brewery, as she still maintains a full-time role as a financial crime consultant.

You may think that role might not have much to do with beer, but Helena lets us in on some of the skills she’s brought from her day job into her beer career. She also shares her advice for others looking to start their own business and, of course, what she enjoys most about being a part of the beer industry.

(Just a quick heads up, there’s quite a bit of feedback from Helena’s mic as the conversation gets started, but we get the issue fixed about one-third of the way through. So please do hang in there and apologies in advance!)

Here’s Helena…

Ruth has been with Elusive for just about a year now, but her promotion to Operations Director was relatively recent. As the role was still very new when we spoke, she tells us a bit about what her current day-to-day looks like, the vision for the future, and what her previous role as Head of Sales, Marketing and Events entailed.

We then go all the way back to the beginning of Ruth’s career in beer which has seen her work in sales roles for breweries including Adnams, Charles Wells, West Berkshire, Utopian and now Elusive. (She’s also spent some time in gin sales, too!) As you’ll hear, she’s got a wealth of experience and knowledge to share, including advice on how to get started in a career in beer, the skills it takes to succeed in sales and much more.

Finally, Ruth tells us what she enjoys most about being a part of the beer industry.

(Just a quick heads-up Ruth’s adorable sausage dog Bertie was in the room with her during our conversation, so you’ll hear him chime in on occasion. Hopefully it’s not too distracting!)

Here’s Ruth…

Before we get into what we chatted about, I thought it best to mention when we chatted. Lana and I recorded in mid-December 2021, just two months before the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Given the current situation, I checked in with Lana to make sure she was comfortable with me sharing our conversation as planned and she felt there was no need to postpone it, suggesting instead that the episode may help draw attention to the country, its people and its beer scene.

If you’d like to support the people of Ukraine, Lana has launched a new initiative – Drinkers for Ukraine – to help raise funds for the Red Cross humanitarian relief effort in the country. Visit drinkersforukraine.com to find out how you can get involved.

And if you’d like to learn more about Lana, the incredible individual behind this initiative, listen in as we discuss what Lana’s day-to-day work life looks like, how she got into beer, and of course, what she enjoys most about being a part of the beer industry.

(Just a quick heads up, I was recovering from Covid when Lana and I chatted, so my voice is a bit scratchy. Apologies in advance.)

Here’s Lana…

Today’s guest is Pip Young, founder of The Coven Brewsters and Brewery Manager at Salt Beer Factory.

To start, Pip tells us about her business, 30 Six Co, and the projects it encompasses, including Flour to the People and The Coven Brewsters. You’ll hear all about what she’s accomplished so far and her exciting plans for the year ahead.

We also discuss her role as Brewery Manager at Salt Beer Factory and the collaboration brew that brought both of her worlds together.

Finally, Pip shares her advice on how to get into the beer industry and what she enjoys most about being a part of it.

(Just a quick heads up, Pip was chatting with me from the brewery taproom, so there’s a bit of background noise on her end, but hopefully it’s not too distracting!)

Here’s Pip…

Today’s guest is Emma Heal, Managing Director of Lucky Saint, the UK’s biggest dedicated alcohol-free beer brand with the aim to “inspire the world to drink better.”

Emma tells us what a Managing Director does and what it was like to take on her role at Lucky Saint in February 2020… just one month before the pandemic began.

We then take a deep dive into the business: the incredible growth Lucky Saint has seen (growing 150% year on year), who their customers are, and what sets the brand apart from the other no- and low-products on the market.

Finally, Emma talks us through her career to date spanning a range of food and drink brands, what led her to pursue a career in beer, and what she enjoys most about being a part of the beer industry.

Here’s Emma…

Today’s guest is Allison Macdonald, Head Brewer at Malt Shovel Brewers in Sydney, Australia.

We start by discussing what Alli’s day-to-day role looks like and her favourite part of the job, then we get into what inspired her to become a brewer and how she made it happen.

Alli also tells us about her three-year tenure as the President of the Australian chapter of the Pink Boots Society, the advice she has for others looking to get into brewing and, of course, what she enjoys most about being a part of the beer industry.

Here’s Alli…