Cheers with Nat

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…

Welcome back to Beer with Nat.

The fifth and final season of the show is here.

This season, you'll hear from a head brewer, managing director, brewery co-founder, events manager and more. And – as always – each guest is someone who works in and is incredibly passionate about the beer and pub industry.

At the end of this season – after 50 episodes – I'll be bringing the Beer with Nat podcast to a close. But that doesn't mean this kind of content is going away!

If you'd like to continue hearing from different people about their beer careers, be sure to check out Hannah Kiem's "Brews with Broads" and Kindsey Bernhard's "Boys are from Marzen". Both podcasts feature interviews with women and non-binary individuals who work in beer and love what they do… so if you're a fan of this this podcast, theirs will be right up your street.

I hope you enjoy listening to this final season and please do consider it yet another reminder from me – and my incredible guests – that beer truly is for everyone.

Check back soon for the first episode of Season 5.

Today's guest is Lorraine Copes, Founder and CEO of Be Inclusive Hospitality, a not-for-profit organization with a mission to accelerate racial equality within the hospitality sector.

We start by discussing what inspired Lorraine to set up the organization, what her day-to-day role as Founder and CEO looks like, and what aspect of her work she's felt to be most impactful so far.

We then hear all about Lorraine's career to-date, as she's spent nearly two decades leading procurement and supply chain teams for some of the country's best-known restaurant and pub groups. She tells us what it's been like to go from managing a team to managing her own business, including the pros and cons and what transferrable skills she brought with her.

Finally, Lorraine lets us in on what she enjoys most about being a part of the beer, pub and hospitality industry.

(Just a quick heads up, this episode was recorded remotely, so the audio quality is not quite the same as previous seasons, but I hope you still enjoy it!)

Here's Lorraine…

Today's guest is Amy Todd, Owner and Analyst of Zymology Labs.

We start by discussing what Zymology Labs does, what inspired Amy to set up the business, and what her day-to-day there looks like.

Then Amy tells us how she got here and the training it took to set up an independent beer quality laboratory – from her chemistry degree in university, to an apprenticeship with the American Brewer's Guild, to roles with Magic Hat and Zero Gravity Brewing in Vermont.

Finally, Amy lets us in what it's been like to go from working for someone else to working for herself, what advice she has for others looking to set up their own business, and, of course, what she enjoys most about being a part of the beer industry.

(Just a quick heads up, this episode was recorded remotely, so the audio quality is not quite the same as previous seasons, but I hope you still enjoy it!)

Here's Amy…