We’re so excited to finally welcome back one of our favourite returning guests—Emma from Merakai—and honestly, it feels like no time has passed (even if it’s technically been three years 😅). In this episode, we catch up on everything that’s happened since we last spoke: from launching their Worthing taproom to navigating the realities of running a small, independent brewery in a tough climate. Emma shares how Merakai has evolved, including the decision to scale back production in order to stay sustainable—something we think is such an important and often overlooked conversation in the craft beer world. It’s a brilliant reminder that success doesn’t have to mean “bigger”—sometimes it’s about building something meaningful, manageable, and rooted in community.

We also dive into the heart of what makes Merakai so special: the people. From their welcoming, inclusive taproom (where beer is literally brewed on-site!) to events like International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day and Pastry Palooza, it’s clear that community is at the centre of everything they do. We chat about the joy of creating spaces where everyone feels comfortable exploring beer—whether that’s through guided tastings, collaborations, or just having a friendly chat at the bar.

And of course, we couldn’t finish without talking about their brand new crowdfunder! Emma shares what’s next for Merakai, from investing in new brewing equipment to reimagining their taproom space to make it even more accessible and community-focused. There’s so much passion, honesty, and resilience in this conversation, and we’re just so proud to see how far they’ve come. If you love great beer, grassroots businesses, and hearing the real stories behind them—this one’s for you. 🍻

Check out their crowdfunder here:

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/merakai-next-chapter

And find out more at their website:

https://www.merakaibrewing.com/

Or Instagram here:

https://www.instagram.com/merakai_brewing/

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

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

In this episode, we dive headfirst into the wonderfully nerdy world of hop breeding, sparked by our shared stash of Dolcita (formerly HBC 1019) pellets. What starts as a casual “shall we talk about this?” quickly turns into a full-on exploration of how new hop varieties are created—from experimental crosses and field trials to pilot brews and, eventually, commercial release. Along the way, we chat about why hop breeding matters more than ever, especially in the face of climate change, shifting beer trends, and the very real impact of brewery closures on the wider supply chain. Basically: hops are way more complicated (and fascinating) than they might seem.

We also get stuck into some experimental hopped beers, comparing notes on flavours, from delicate citrus and cantaloupe to coconut, peach rings, and tropical daiquiri vibes. As always, there’s a mix of proper brewing insight and our own reactions—plus a healthy dose of disbelief at hop farmers who can apparently hear when hops are ready to harvest (Tori is still not convinced, sorry). We dig into how flavour perception works, how suppliers choose and blend hops for consistency, and why the same hop can taste different year to year.

Finally, we shine a spotlight on Dolcita itself—its surprisingly quick development, unique flavour profile, and the science behind why it works so well in beer. From its “little sweetie” name origin to its high geraniol content and versatility in brewing, it’s a great example of what modern hop breeding is all about.

Whether you’re a beer geek, a casual drinker, or just here for the vibes, this episode is a love letter to hops, experimentation, and the people behind the scenes making your pint taste amazing. 🍻

Here is the beer analytics website Tori found:

https://www.beer-analytics.com/hops/dual-purpose/hbc-638/

The Beervana blog post about Dolcita:

https://www.beervanablog.com/beervana/2025/8/28/the-hop-that-earned-its-name-dolcita

Learn more about the HBC program and Dolcita here:

https://www.hopbreeding.com/

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

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

In this episode of A Woman’s Brew, we head to Bristol to chat with Kezia and Rosie from Bristol Beer Factory about their 2026 International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day beer, Cowgirl Supernova. Rosie, one of BBF’s female brewers, and Kezia from the marketing team talk us through how the brewery handed the reins over to the women of the company to design the beer from the ground up—from recipe to branding. The result? A rebellious Kölsch IPA brewed with the Pink Boots hop blend, Nelson Sauvin, and even a touch of sorghum to reflect the brewers’ South African and New Zealand heritage. It’s crisp, fruity, and unexpectedly sessionable—and yes, Jo (a self-confessed Kölsch sceptic) ended up loving it.

We also dive into the story behind the name Cowgirl Supernova, inspired by the BBF women’s “Pink Ponies” WhatsApp group and the bold, fun energy of the brew day itself. Kezia shares how the creative brief for the beer’s branding embraced that rebellious spirit, resulting in a vibrant design full of disco lights, cowboy hats, and unapologetic colour. The conversation highlights how empowering it can be when breweries actively create space for women across departments—brewing, marketing, and beyond—to shape the final product.

Beyond the beer itself, we explore Bristol Beer Factory’s Brewed To Give initiative, which sets aside 2% of brewery sales to support local charities and community groups. For this International Women’s Day release, profits are being shared between four organisations supporting women, migrant communities, and LGBTQ+ groups in Bristol. It’s a brilliant example of how a collaboration brew can celebrate great beer while also strengthening the communities around it—and exactly the kind of story we love sharing on the podcast.

Read more about the beer here:

https://www.bristolbeerfactory.co.uk/blogs/news/iwd-with-bbf

Buy the beer here:

https://www.bristolbeerfactory.co.uk/products/cowgirl-supernova

Follow Bristol Beer Factory on Instagram here:

https://www.instagram.com/bristolbeerfactory/

BBF’s charity partners:

https://eastoncowfolk.org.uk/womens-football/

https://one25.org.uk/

https://www.projectmama.org/

https://www.transpridebristol.org.uk/

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

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

In this prehistoric party of a Bucket List Beers episode, we finally get stuck into the iconic Sue line-up from Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. — starting with the legendary Pseudo Sue before levelling up to King Sue. While only one of them officially makes it into the bucket list books, we couldn’t resist putting both (okay… three) to the test. From that unmistakable Citra burst in Pseudo Sue — all juicy citrus, mango and soft malt sweetness — to the dangerously smooth, 8.2% imperialised glow-up that is King Sue, we explore whether these hyped-up hazies truly earn their global reputation. Spoiler: one of them seriously reignites our love for classic Citra-forward pale ales.

We dig into the story behind the brewery’s meteoric rise from nano system to destination beer mecca in Iowa (yes, Iowa!), and the surprisingly wholesome trademark tale involving Field Museum and the famous T-Rex “Sue.” Instead of a legal battle, we got collaboration — and we love to see it. Along the way, we compare awards, Untappd stats, Beer Advocate rankings, and debate whether bigger (and stronger) really means better when it comes to hazy dippers. Expect hop chat, imperial IPA origins, “juicy DIPA” giggles, and some serious danger juice energy.

And because we can’t help ourselves, we also personify Pseudo Sue into a neon-dino, museum-hopping, craft-beer-loving icon who absolutely would get told off for touching the fossil displays. Is she our new best friend? Quite possibly. But the real question is: which Sue would make your bucket list? 🍻

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

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

In this special Valentine’s Day episode of A Woman’s Brew, we’re celebrating love in all its forms—romantic, platonic, and definitely beer-related! We dive into how to craft the perfect beer pairing for a romantic date night, from selecting the ideal flight to sharing a few heartwarming (and hilarious) stories about how beer has played a role in our relationships. Whether it’s a love for beer, breweries, or even our favourite beer-related traditions, we’re here for it all.

We may not be the biggest fans of Valentine’s Day (no cards, no flowers), but we’re all in when it comes to planning the ultimate brewery date night. Think cozy spots, great brews, and food that’s definitely more than just a sad bowl of nuts. From tips on choosing the right venue for your first date to how to make the experience feel extra special, we cover it all. So grab your favourite beer, get comfy, and let’s raise a glass to love, beer, and everything in between! Cheers to a fun, beer-filled Valentine’s celebration!

Beer pairing for date night: https://mojavecider.com/blog/say-i-do-to-these-romantic-beer-pairings-for-date-night

Breweries for date nights: https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/lifestyle/londons-best-bars-for-a-first-date-3287

Last minute Valentine’s activities needed? Check out Jo’s beer tasting kits here:

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1386712002/valentines-beer-and-chocolate-pairing?ref=shop_home_active_2&dd=1&logging_key=7285c6700743586ea1265284fec9961b0dee61b8%3A1386712002

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1395279683/valentines-blind-beer-tasting-kit?ref=shop_home_active_1&dd=1&logging_key=e08f04c54b81595cfbe951160ae4aa83df20c5ac%3A1395279683

Bookshop Crawl website: https://www.bookshopcrawl.co.uk/londonprogramme

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

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

In this episode of A Woman’s Brew, we’re officially dusting off the crystal ball and looking ahead to what beer might look like in 2026. Fresh off a reset—new goals, new microphones, and a renewed sense of purpose—we dig into why now feels like the right moment to talk trends. With lagers in our glasses, we reflect on the state of the industry, the post-COVID reality for breweries, and why stories of decline don’t tell the full picture. Beer, as ever, is cyclical, resilient, and deeply tied to how and why people choose to gather.

We chat through some standout insights from recent trend pieces, including the idea that Gen Z isn’t “killing beer,” but simply approaching it differently—seeking flavour, quality, and experience over volume. From the supposed rise of the “golden lager” to the continued popularity of hazy beers, we unpack what feels genuinely meaningful versus what might just be hype. We also touch on the resurgence of iconic brands like Guinness, how smart (and sometimes surprising) marketing can shift drinking habits, and why accessibility—both in flavour and format—matters more than ever.

Finally, we turn our attention to what might be heading our way in the UK: a broader range of lager styles, evolving packaging formats, drinks beyond beer, and the continued growth of low- and no-alcohol options. As always, we approach it with curiosity rather than certainty. Whether it’s a smoked lager, a tiny can, or a genuinely good alcohol-free stout, our hope for 2026 is simple: more choice, more inclusivity, and more reasons to enjoy great beer together.

Em Sauter's Forbes Article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/emsauter/2026/01/07/craft-beers-current-trends-show-its-cyclical-resilience/

Lotte Peplow's article: https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2025/12/08/five-us-craft-beer-trends-heading-to-uk/

Vinepair trends article: https://vinepair.com/articles/drinks-trends-to-watch-2026/

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

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

In this episode of A Woman’s Brew, we’re calling last orders on 2025 and raising a glass to a fresh start in 2026. We chat through our end-of-year rewind, reflecting on what was a surprisingly huge year for the podcast, even when life, travel, and work got wildly busy. From rethinking how we structure our wrap-ups (goodbye quarterlies, hello half-years) to acknowledging just how high a bar we accidentally set for ourselves, this episode is very much about taking stock, having a laugh, and giving ourselves a bit of grace.

As always, beer is at the heart of the conversation. We talk about what we’re drinking, from winter warmers and nostalgic classics to truly bucket-list beers (yes, that one), alongside stories of travel, thoughtful gifts, and the realities of beer shopping on both sides of the Atlantic. There’s plenty of honest chat about changing drinking habits, tracking beers (or not), Untappd stats, favourite styles, and how our year in beer looks very different to previous ones — fewer check-ins, but no less love for great flavour and memorable moments.

We also get real about burnout, social media overwhelm, and why it’s okay to disappear into a cocoon sometimes. This episode is a gentle reset: a reminder that beer should be joyful, not stressful, and that it’s fine to step back, simplify, and do things differently. Here’s to saging the vibes, being a bit more “Yoncé” (IYKYK) in 2026, and continuing our mission to get more people drinking and talking about great 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

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

In this Bucket List Beer episode, we finally sit down with one of the most talked-about and divisive classics in the beer world: Duchesse de Bourgogne. From the very first pour, this conversation becomes as much about ritual and anticipation as it is about flavour — from glassware choices and careful bottle-conditioned pours to the (very real) emotional impact of not having the right cheese to hand. We talk honestly about why this Flemish Red has earned such an iconic reputation, how it balances tartness, malt sweetness, oak and balsamic notes, and why it feels less like “just a beer” and more like a luxury experience.

As hosts, we dig into what makes Duchesse such a standout within the Flanders Red style, unpacking its history, production methods, and why its sourness is complex rather than sharp. We reflect on how this beer challenges expectations — especially for sour lovers and traditional beer drinkers alike — and why it can be both a gateway beer for wine drinkers and a polarising first sip for the uninitiated. Along the way, we share tasting notes, food pairing ideas (cheese, obviously, but also roasts and even salads), and our own evolving relationship with a beer we keep coming back to.

We also place Duchesse firmly in its Bucket List Beer status, discussing where it appears (and surprisingly doesn’t appear) in classic beer books, its legacy alongside breweries like Rodenbach, and why cultural reputation matters just as much as printed lists. Whether you’re already devoted to Flemish Reds or still wondering if a beer that tastes like balsamic vinegar could possibly be for you, this episode is a love letter to one of Belgium’s most regal, misunderstood, and rewarding beers.

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

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