A Woman’s Brew

Happy New Year! We’re starting off 2025 by having a clear out and sharing some leftovers and beer pairings we think you should try.  We love a bit of food and beer pairing, and this felt like the perfect way to clean out our fridges! Do you have chocolate, cheese and snacks left over from Christmas?  We try out a variety of beers with these foods so you don’t have to!
 
We also set our personal beer goals and…. DRUMROLL!!... We put together our own beer challenge for 2025!  It only took us a year to make it happen!
 
You can download a PDF with all 40 prompts and join us in this challenge – let us know if you are taking part and which prompt you are most excited to complete!
 
Check out the challenge list here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KMP2T9RRaaM8XA-jbj4XIyu-QCvX56iD/view?usp=drive_link
 
If you want to give Jo’s Valentines beer & chocolate pairing kit a go, you can find it here:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1386712002/valentines-beer-and-chocolate-pairing?click_key=05112d3afaef6d2e57a58d55775b5dcaec8bb1ec%3A1386712002&click_sum=9b98f4c5&ref=shop_home_active_4
 
Or the regular beer & chocolate pairing kit here:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1163176689/beer-and-chocolate-pairing-kit-beer-and?click_key=7d51e7be7c0a9693b51e189869577ccc31206ffa%3A1163176689&click_sum=c74d5793&ref=shop_home_active_2
 
 
Get in Touch:
Email: awomansbrewpodcast@gmail.com
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
 
Join our 2025 drinking challenge here
 
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Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Strap in kids – this is a long one, and rightly so! We look back at 2024 and all the great things that have happened along the way for A Woman’s Brew
 
We look at our Untappd stats, our Spotify Wrapped for the podcast, how well we did with the Drink Harder Challenge and did we achieve our 2024 beer goals.
 
We’re thinking about what our goals should be for 2025 – what do you want to see us try?  And what are your goals for the new year?  Let us know!
 
 
Get in Touch:
Email: awomansbrewpodcast@gmail.com
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
Stitcher
TuneIn
 
Watch:
YouTube
 
Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Gather ‘round, dear listeners, because this episode is all about embracing the festive spirit! We’ve selected three seasonal brews with traditional flavours to sample, alongside asking our AI overlords to come up with unique gifts for the craft beer lover in your life – how do you think they will do?
 
We raise our glasses to discuss a mulled dark cherry sour and gingerbread latte stout from Vault City and a plum porter from Holy Goat. We'll also touch on the fascinating history of beer in holiday traditions, from Viking offerings to Odin to the modern-day beer advent calendars.
 
And if quirky Christmas customs tickle your fancy, we've got tales of mischievous trolls and roller-skating to mass in Venezuela.  What are your Christmas traditions and what does your beer lineup look like for the festive season?  Let us know!
 
Seasons Greetings and Happy Holidays to you all!
 
 Here is Jo's post about DIY beer advent calendars:https://lovebeerlearning.co.uk/lovebeerlearningblog/how-to-create-a-diy-beer-advent-calendar
 
Get in Touch:
Email: awomansbrewpodcast@gmail.com
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:
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Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

This week we are joined by the one and only Tom Bacon!  Previously from Meantime, Peroni, Brew York and Wander Beyond, Tom has a plethora of beer industry stories and plenty of ‘opinions’!
 
The Great Dive Bar Debate is finally resolved (maybe!) and we talk beer stashes, Untappd, what you should do if you get a beer with a fault in a bar, and what’s better filtered or unfiltered?
 
Tom recommends his favourite taprooms, bars, breweries and events of 2024 and shares his favourite stories with us.
 
Does Tom need to have a regular spot to air his ‘opinions’?!  Let us know!
 
Get in Touch:
Email: awomansbrewpodcast@gmail.com
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
Stitcher
TuneIn
 
Watch:
YouTube
 
Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
 

Let’s have a catch up!  Tori and Jo have been on their travels and share with you their experiences of Brau Beviale in Nuremberg and The British Guild of Beer Writers Awards in London.  Did you know we were shortlisted for two awards?!  We didn’t win, but that just makes us more determined for next year!
 
Tori also visited Manchester and gives you her top tips for places to visit.  Jo visited Glasgow for the Glasladies Beer is for Everyone festival and saw a bunch of our fave people.  Finally, we chat about when you should buy beer, how long you should keep it and remind you not to be a dick on Untappd!
 
What have you been up to listeners?  Let us know!
 
Get in Touch:
Email: awomansbrewpodcast@gmail.com
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:
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Spotify
Google
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TuneIn
 
Watch:
YouTube
 
Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
 

This week, we dive into the magical world of IPAs with Tartarus Beers’ captivating goddess-themed tasting challenge. We'll unravel the mystique of three mysterious IPAs, each with a secret ingredient twist. As we embark on this flavourful journey, we promise to bring you along for every sip, sniff, and guessing game.
 
Our tasting session is set against the backdrop of breathtaking artwork, each label part of a grander piece of art, offering more than just a beverage but a visual feast as well.
 
Join us as we explore the complex profiles of these IPAs, dissecting their aromas and flavours. From fresh orange juice notes that evoke memories of an orange creamsicle, to the bitter grapefruit tang, and even hints of tangerine and cranberry. We'll debate hopping techniques, potential yeast strains, and the influence of dry hopping on these intriguing brews.
 
This episode is more than a tasting challenge; it's an exploration of the sheer fun and unpredictability that comes with uncovering the unique elements of craft beers. Expect a lot of laughter, a bit of friendly competition, and a keen attention to the subtleties that make each beer unique.
 
Check out the beers here:
https://www.tartarusbeers.co.uk/products/goddess-set-4-dike-eunomia-eirene-6-x-440ml-cans
 
Have you tried the beers in the Goddess series?  What do you think the difference is?
 
 
Get in Touch:
Email: awomansbrewpodcast@gmail.com
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

Recently SIBA (The Society for Independent Brewers and Associates) launched their Indie Beer campaign, designed to define what independent beer really is. According to SIBA, ‘Independent beer is handmade by real people who truly care about the quality and flavour of the beer they are producing’. They have also produced a set of guidelines to determine which breweries are independent and a tool for consumers to check which breweries meet the criteria.
 
We look at SIBA’s criteria and ask if this really does the UK craft beer industry justice. We compare it to the Brewer’s Association in America’s criteria to define craft beer and add our own thoughts on how we choose the beer we drink and breweries we support.
 
Does SIBA’s criteria help those that are confused about independent beer, or is it creating barriers for certain breweries? 
 
Let us know your thoughts on the Indie Beer campaign in the comments.
 
You can find out more about the campaign here:
https://www.indiebeer.uk/index.php
 
This article from SIBA details their reasoning and research:
https://www.siba.co.uk/2024/10/22/new-campaign-helps-consumers-identify-true-independent-breweries-as-demand-for-local-beer-rises/
 
You can see the Brewers Association definition here:
https://www.brewersassociation.org/statistics-and-data/craft-brewer-definition/
 
 
Get in Touch:
Email: awomansbrewpodcast@gmail.com
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 are finally bringing you another interview! We connect with Tom Canning, founder and organiser of the Berkshire Beer Festival. From missing kegs to randomly sized fence posts, Tom talks us through how he grew his festival from 80 attendees to the successful event that has been running for 13 years. We ask the hard questions – like how do you even begin to choose all the beer?! Tom also talks us through his other pursuits (check out Beer in Berkshire) and his recommendations for a night in Reading. What is your favourite beer festival? Let us know! Get in Touch:Email: awomansbrewpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: http://www.lovebeerlearning.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/awomansbrew/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AWomansBrewTori: @adventures_in_hoptimismJoanne: @lovebeerlearningSupport 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 our favourite season once again – the pumpkin beers are out! We’re running out of things to talk about when it comes to pumpkin beers now… but we’ve still found something! Jo brings you tips on how to grow your own pumpkins and Tori has found the top pumpkin and bonfire night beers in the UK. We also bring back the cauldron of questions to find out what horror films we would pair with our beers. This year we bring you: Icabod from New HollandSugar N’ Spice from Vault CityPumpkin Slapuccino from Grand Armory Brewing Have you grabbed any pumpkin beers this season? Tell us about them! Find Bean to Barstool’s podcast about Sleepy Hollow here:https://www.beantobarstool.com/episodes/episode-48-sleepy-hollow Tips for growing your own pumpkins:https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/features/fascinating-facts-and-figures-pumpkins Get in Touch:Email: awomansbrewpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: http://www.lovebeerlearning.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/awomansbrew/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AWomansBrewTori: @adventures_in_hoptimismJoanne: @lovebeerlearningSupport 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 embracing the eerie and chilling vibes as it’s spooky season! Venture with us into the haunted corridors of Moon River Brewing in Savannah, where ghosts of gamblers and yellow fever victims roam, and Phoenix Brewing Company in Ohio, famously located in a former mortuary with a history that's as dark as its beer. We'll also recount ghostly legends like the playful yet eerie spirit "Toby" and the enigmatic "lady in white." But our supernatural exploration doesn’t stop at ghost stories! Discover our hilarious superstition of leaving a pint for a brewer’s ghost, and laugh along as we consider which beer styles might fend off spooky spirits. From cocktail concoctions like the “Zombie Apocalypse Drink” to a deep dive into bizarre ingredients in beers like black garlic and ghost pepper, there’s something spooky and fun for every beer lover. As well as sharing the spookiest beers currently in our fridges, we share a selection of beer cocktails that you can create for your next Halloween party – are they tricks or treats? What spooky beers are you saving for Halloween? Let us know! Read more about the haunted breweries here:https://www.craftbeer.com/full-pour/enjoy-both-sips-spooks-at-these-haunted-breweries Read about 10 more haunted breweries, distilleries and vineyards here:https://listverse.com/2023/01/15/ten-hauntings-at-breweries-distilleries-and-vineyards/ Check out the article that references Werewolf Beer here:https://londonist.com/london/drink/werewolf-beer-american-brewery-ghost-train-camden Get in Touch:Email: awomansbrewpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: http://www.lovebeerlearning.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/awomansbrew/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AWomansBrewTori: @adventures_in_hoptimismJoanne: @lovebeerlearningSupport us: https://ko-fi.com/awomansbrew Subscribe:· iTunes· Spotify· Google· Stitcher· TuneIn Watch:YouTube Music: Higher Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com