A Woman’s Brew
A Woman’s Brew Podcast follows the ‘beer-ventures’ of two beer-loving women – Joanne Love & Tori Powell – on their mission to get more people drinking and talking about great craft beers. The duo look to infuse equal parts education, playfulness, and story-telling with a dash of chaos across their episodes with the aim to make the craft beer hobby more fun and approachable for all – made by women for everyone! Tori and Joanne are both UK based, but weave in their US connections with their love of travel to bring you – dear listeners – stories from across the industry and across the globe. They hope that you’ll grab a drink of your choosing and join them for a round or few – CHEERS!
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Episodes
Monday Dec 15, 2025
Monday Dec 15, 2025
In this festive episode of A Women’s Brew, we dive head-first into the most chaotic and comforting corner of Christmas: Quality Street, Roses, Heroes, Celebrations… and the Vault City beers inspired by them. We kick things off by sorting ourselves into our “chocolate houses,” reminiscing about the glory days of Woolworths pick-and-mix, and fiercely debating which sweets truly count as Christmas classics. Along the way, we discover that not all orange chocolates are created equal, that desiccated coconut remains controversial, and that some beers deserve to be enjoyed without any chocolate interference whatsoever.
From chocolate-orange sours that somehow turn into Christmas-morning mimosas, to a coconut-strawberry concoction that tastes like boozy strawberry yogurt, to the absolute star of the episode—the stunning Truffle Berry Bliss—we taste our way through Vault City’s festive lineup and (attempt to) pair each beer with its confectionery counterpart. There are big reactions, bigger opinions, and a surprising amount of emotional processing about textures, ABVs, and holiday breakfast traditions.
We also share some of our favourite Christmas-and-beer memories, chat about the myths around “festive” beers, and peek at what we’re excited to crack open this holiday season. Whether you’re Team Roses, Team Celebrations, or simply here for the chaos, pour yourself something seasonal and join us for this merry, sweary, sweet-filled festive episode.
Get in Touch:
Website: https://awomansbrewpod.beer/
Email: awomansbrewpodcast@gmail.com
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
Jo's Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LoveBeerLearning
Join our 2025 drinking challenge here
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Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Monday Dec 01, 2025
Monday Dec 01, 2025
In this episode of A Woman’s Brew, we’re joined by the brilliant Lucy and Lizzy of Closet Brewing—Scotland’s only openly queer-owned brewery. We chat about their journey from literally brewing in a cupboard in their Leith flat to becoming a fast-growing, award-winning brewery known for bold flavours, community focus, and killer artwork. From exploding fermenters at 3am to DIY mash tuns crafted from Tesco coolers, the pair share the chaotic, hilarious, and deeply personal beginnings of their brewing story.
We dive into the evolution of Closet Brewing: scaling up equipment, learning the hard realities of brewing commercially, and balancing being brewers, business owners, marketers, event managers—and occasional electricians. They talk us through the science (and cake-based experimentation!) that led to beers like their beloved lavender pale ale, Gal Pals, and give us a peek into their incredible queer artist collaboration programme responsible for some of the most eye-catching labels in UK craft beer—frog butts and all.
Finally, we explore Closet’s commitment to queer community, accessibility, and creating spaces that uplift and celebrate everyone. The duo share their pride in award wins, their manifesting list for the next few years (a taproom?!), and how much their success is rooted in the village of people who support them. So, check out their newly reopened webshop, grab a beer and settle in for an episode full of heart, humour, and truly excellent brews.
Visit Closet Brewing at their website and grab some beers here, there is also 10% off merch until the end of 2025!
https://closetbrewing.com/
If you are in Leith, grab a beer at The Bowler’s Rest:
https://bowlersrest.com/
Find them on Instagram here:
https://www.instagram.com/closetbrewing/
And the artists you should look into:
Jumper designs by Audrey Subra @aud_pizzanova –
https://www.instagram.com/aud_pizzanova/
@zuzamakes - They're Turning The Friggin Frogs Gay, Thine Cup Runneth Over –
https://www.instagram.com/zuzamakes/
@gawrjuhsart - Lemon Soul, Bright Young Things –
https://www.instagram.com/gawrjuhsart/
@ajd.illustrates - Gal Pals –
https://www.instagram.com/ajd.illustrates/
@hamillustration - Fault Lines, Hidden Track –
https://www.instagram.com/hamillustration/
@hicarbi - Freudian Slip –
https://www.instagram.com/hicarbi/
@enbean_art - Spectre, Vampire Spa Day –
https://www.instagram.com/enbean_art/
@_lostastronaut - Lost in the Sauce –
https://www.instagram.com/_lostastronaut/
@ergi.world - Alex, Lucy's sibling, Tattooist and designer of several of our early can labels inc. GOAT, Mieter*innen, Smoke Signals and Last Train Out of Manchester –
https://www.instagram.com/ergi.world/
@scotsqueerfilm – SQIFF
https://www.instagram.com/scotsqueerfilm/
Get in Touch:
Website: https://awomansbrewpod.beer/
Email: awomansbrewpodcast@gmail.com
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
Subscribe:
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Watch:
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Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Monday Nov 17, 2025
Monday Nov 17, 2025
We’re back! We finally reunite after a whirlwind of holiday travel, festivals, and award ceremonies! In this bumper November catch-up (or “Novembeer,” as we’ve christened it!), we catch you up on our latest globe-trotting escapades in Germany, the US, and Japan. We celebrate some massive milestones—like Joanne winning Beer Communicator of the Year at the Women in Beer Awards and being shortlisted for 2 British Guild of Beer Writers awards while Tori regales us with tales of navigating Tokyo’s subways and finding a Sapporo Vintage 2025 lager.
Tune in for our usual blend of beer geekery, silly tangents (Modelo! Dessert Dash! Dirndls for any occasion!), and a deep dive into beer industry news. We discuss new World Beer Cup categories, non-alcoholic beer trends in Germany, and the surprising uses of AI in Japanese craft brewing. Plus, find out how Untappd’s latest expansion has us rethinking our beer tracking habits. Grab a beer, settle in, and get ready for plenty of laughs—and maybe a few travel tips—straight from your two favourite beer-loving presenters!
Links we mentioned:
World Beer Cup introduces new categories:
https://www.worldbeercup.org/news/registration-now-open-for-the-2026-world-beer-cup/
German non-alcoholic beer sales boom:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/10/11/germany-nonalcoholic-beer-sales-boom/
Global non-alcoholic beer market growth:
https://www.brewersjournal.ca/2025/09/03/global-non-alcoholic-beer-market-set-for-robust-growth-projected-to-reach-usd-43-9-billion-by-2035/
Non-alcoholic beer sales:
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/non-alcoholic-beer-sales-9-194518058.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com&guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9jaGF0Z3B0LmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAABHkwqz6WHn-EPW6wiQ4MOGryoSaaVDSAOdko5KhDrR9FA3tsLX_yITQjLY08QasdBtxqQpLFFnhk8VtDHc3Y6zvOggRVgdQmdx2KkKV_Jk694qHYqw0VpzvxI5zq0Qca1uOdo1Bq6hdXm66kO479urtKoLyCE5TQdiMY7_HglCK
Innis & Gunn recreate 150 year old beer:
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/rare-bottle-150-old-beer-134642397.html
AI-driven fermentation time:
https://asiabrewersnetwork.com/news/ai-driven-fermentation-time-of-craft-beer-cut-by-28-in-japan-trial?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Untappd expands beyond beer:
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/11/untappd-expands-beyond-the-beer-category/
Get in Touch:
Website: https://awomansbrewpod.beer/
Email: awomansbrewpodcast@gmail.com
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
Subscribe:
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Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Monday Oct 27, 2025
Monday Oct 27, 2025
In this episode, we’re cracking open a true bucket-list classic: Allagash White. We share our personal history with this iconic Belgian-style witbier—how we’ve somehow managed to drink loads of it over the years without logging it on Untappd, the memories it brings back for both of us, and the pure joy of that first coriander-and-orange-kissed sip. From flipping the can to “rouse the yeast,” to admiring that unmistakable milky sheen, this beer had us grinning right from the pour.
We also take you through what makes a proper witbier, diving into BJCP style notes and talking aroma, flavour, and mouthfeel—because yes, we’re going full beer geek on this one. We look at Allagash Brewing’s story, the early struggles to get people on board with hazy Belgian flavours, and how it eventually became the most-awarded witbier in the world. And of course, we go off on our usual tangents—everything from airport beer choices to seafood pairings we’ll never eat, to the eternal debate over frosty mugs.
If you love wheat beers—or think you don’t—this episode is a ride. So grab an Allagash White if you can, pour it into your fanciest glass (or whatever’s clean), and drink along with us. Cheers, friends! 🍻
Links we mentioned:
About Allagash:
https://www.allagash.com/about/our-story/
Vinepair article:
https://vinepair.com/articles/the-oral-history-of-allagash-white/
Hop Culture article:
https://www.hopculture.com/11-things-you-didnt-know-about-allagash-white/
Food and Wine article:
https://www.foodandwine.com/hefeweizen-vs-witbier-what-s-the-difference-8657632?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Reddit Article:
https://www.reddit.com/r/52weeksofbaking/comments/f5hxq8/week_5_beverage_pairing_allagash_white_inspired/
Under the Jenfluence – BJCP prep videos here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpb8Fu5Y8LU4zkqj6qAexh41JtPf9TYYo
Her deep dive into Belgian beers here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SygcOSkdKpw&list=PLpb8Fu5Y8LU4zkqj6qAexh41JtPf9TYYo&index=13&t=21s
Get in Touch:
Website: https://awomansbrewpod.beer/
Email: awomansbrewpodcast@gmail.com
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
Subscribe:
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Watch:
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Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Monday Sep 29, 2025
Monday Sep 29, 2025
It’s our 5th birthday! 🎉 In this episode, we’re raising a glass (or five) to celebrate five years of A Woman’s Brew. From our very first chat about Burnt Mill and women head brewers, to 243 episodes, 73 interviews, countless styles explored, and more pumpkin spice beers than we probably should admit—we’re looking back at the journey with plenty of laughter and a few stats that even surprised us. Along the way, we share memories of recording in conservatories, battling Zoom’s time limits, and figuring out if hanging duvets for soundproofing was really necessary.
To mark the occasion, we each picked five beers that represent different parts of the podcast’s history—from our Burnt Mill beginnings to pumpkin spice indulgences and beyond. Expect quiz questions, tangents galore, and a celebratory cheers to everyone who’s joined us over the years. With more than 25,000 downloads and so many brilliant conversations with brewers, beer lovers, and beer-adjacent creatives, we’re feeling grateful, giddy, and just a little bit nostalgic. Here’s to five years of beers, cheers, and brilliant company—and to the next round still to come! 🍻
Get in Touch:
Website: https://awomansbrewpod.beer/
Email: awomansbrewpodcast@gmail.com
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
Subscribe:
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Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Monday Sep 15, 2025
Monday Sep 15, 2025
This week we’re putting on our lab coats and goggles for a true beer geek adventure—yeast experiments! We cracked open a special set of four collaboration beers from Elusive, UnBarred, and Lallemand, each brewed with the same malt and hops but fermented with different yeast strains. To help us navigate the science (and keep us from bumbling our way through too many Google searches), we’re joined by the brilliant Alix from Lallemand. She dives deep into why yeast is way more than just the alcohol-maker—it’s the flavour-shaper, aroma-creator, and unsung hero of brewing.
Together, we taste through the lineup—comparing the clean, sherbety BRY-97 with the juicy peach-citrus hit of Aurora, the Belgian-style farmhouse tang of Saison, and the clove-and-banana whispers of the Wit strain. Along the way, Alix drops some absolute gems about biotransformation, hybrid yeast strains, and even the art of “schmooing” yeast cells (yes, that’s a thing!). We also chat about brewers breaking yeast “rules,” the challenges of low-alcohol brewing, and—of course—the importance of good socks and merch in the beer world. It’s equal parts nerdy and fun, and by the end, you’ll never look at yeast the same way again. 🍻
Find out more about Lallemand here:
https://www.lallemandbrewing.com/en/global
Find the beers here:
https://www.elusivebrewing.com/buy-bottled-beer
Get in Touch:
Website: https://awomansbrewpod.beer/
Email: awomansbrewpodcast@gmail.com
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
Subscribe:
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Watch:
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Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Monday Sep 01, 2025
Monday Sep 01, 2025
This week, we’re back with our old friend Jaipur IPA—but with a twist (or three)! Since it’s Jaipur’s anniversary, Thornbridge have released some special variants, and of course we had to try them. We’ve got Hazy Jaipur, Pink Grapefruit Jaipur, and Jaipur Faith (a collab with Northern Monk) lined up, and we’re sharing our thoughts, tasting notes, and plenty of laughs along the way.
We’ll also dig into what actually makes a beer hazy, bust some common myths, and chat through the science behind that soft, pillowy mouthfeel we love. Plus, you know us—expect tangents about Charmed, Ghostbusters, fruity vs. piney hops, and some spicy hot takes from the beer community.
So grab yourself a Jaipur (or three!) and join us as we celebrate one of Britain’s modern classics, explore its variants, and prove once again that busting myths really does make us feel good!
Get in Touch:
Website: https://awomansbrewpod.beer/
Email: awomansbrewpodcast@gmail.com
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
Subscribe:
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Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Monday Aug 18, 2025
Monday Aug 18, 2025
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/
Email: awomansbrewpodcast@gmail.com
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
Subscribe:
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Watch:
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Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Monday Aug 04, 2025
Monday Aug 04, 2025
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: awomansbrewpodcast@gmail.com
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
Subscribe:
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Watch:
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Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Monday Jul 21, 2025
Monday Jul 21, 2025
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: awomansbrewpodcast@gmail.com
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
Subscribe:
Podbean
iTunes
Spotify
TuneIn
Watch:
YouTube
Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com