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:

• Podbean
• iTunes
• Spotify
• TuneIn

Watch:

YouTube

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

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:

• Podbean
• iTunes
• Spotify
• TuneIn

Watch:

YouTube

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

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