Did you know that the style of Berline Weisse nearly died out? Meet one of the brewers who are keeping it - in its most historically accurate form - alive: Ulrike Genz from Schneeeule brewery in Berlin. She tells Lisa, Katie, and Thandi all about how Berliner Weisse should actually contain Brettanomyces, why kettle souring isn’t “the way” and takes us through her own fascinating journey from Civil Engineering to brewing. Links: Interview with Ulrike - https://kraftbier0711.de/ulrike-genz-von-sch...
Sep 30, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Did you know that brewing in the home was not just for family consumption? Did you know that passing on recipes for and using ale/beer was a practice not only documented through letters and books but also tells us a whole bunch about women’s roles in the home as well as the broader economy? Listen up as Christina, Lisa, Katie, and Thandi go through housewives and brewing through the early Modern era, and why it’s so damn fascinating. Links: Words about Women’s Work: The Case of Housewifery in Ea...
Sep 23, 2022•51 min•Season 3Ep. 4
The full set of hosts are in your ears this week, and they’re looking at Homebrewing. Have you tried it before? Listen to the good, bad, and ugly stories of brewing your own while picking up a few tips on getting started and entering competitions. As usual, please tell a friend if you've enjoyed this episode, or share it directly. Links: John Palmer - How to Brew http://www.howtobrew.com/ Geterbrewed homebrew store - https://www.geterbrewed.ie/ Homebrew Company - https://www.thehomebrewcompany.i...
Sep 16, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 3
This week Thandi and Christina are talking to Crew Brew Co. and they’re the Irish brewery you never knew you wanted to visit. Born just before the pandemic hit, and a real testament to community support and resilience, they’re not just an uplifting story - they make damn good beer while being the coolest kids on the block. Jono makes the beer, and Emma serves it while doing design work for the brewery. They’re the poster brewery for inclusivity, employee wellbeing, and co-operation - have a list...
Sep 09, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Season 3Ep. 2
We’re back for Season 3 and in the first episode, we’re tackling the beer-adjacent Cider & Perry. Do you enjoy a cider? Do you (gasp) put ice in yours? How do we classify these fruit-based drinks and how would you make one? Listen along as Thandi, Katie and Christina break it down, as well as chatting a bit about the history of Cider and Perry. Sources: A Mouthful of Diversity: Knowledge of Cider Apple Cultivars in the United Kingdom and Northwest United States - A Mouthful of Diversity: Kno...
Sep 02, 2022•53 min•Season 3Ep. 1
It's our SEASON FINALE! We're off to enjoy a summer break (beer fests, anyone?) and will be back in your ears in August. In the meantime... What is the oldest pub in Ireland? Christina, Lisa, Katie, and Erica look into the history, defining “pubs”, defining the question itself, raising issues of archaeology, and sifting through myths vs. facts. Sources: A Dictionary of British & Irish History | Google Books - https://bit.ly/3m3ZGki What is The Oldest Pub in Ireland? | Over in Ireland - https...
Jun 03, 2022•46 min•Season 2Ep. 34
Lisa, Christina, and Erica have been busy researching the best books and online sources (as well as a documentary) to help you build your very own beer library. While most of their suggestions are academic, historic, and technical, there are a few fun ones too! Some points of consideration they mentioned include bibliographies, budget, ethics, space, and sustainability. Sorted by author's surname, here are the titles they recommend: Acitelli: The Audacity of Hops Annemüller & Manger: Applied...
May 27, 2022•52 min•Season 2Ep. 33
This week is all about adjuncts: what they are, their history, which ones are common, how they are used, and some popular beers made with them. We also chat about how adjuncts were initially perceived in the craft beer industry and how that view has changed. You’ll see us enjoying such ingredients as gooseberry, rye, oats, and wheat! Don't forget, you can get our *brand new* merch here - https://beer-ladies-podcast.myspreadshop.ie/ Beers in this episode: Four Corners, USA - ‘El Grito’ Lager - ht...
May 20, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 32
Many of us here on the pod are partial to a clean, crisp lager! Thandi, Katie, and Bean discuss the history of lagers, what makes them different from ales, and how to brew them. Gone are the days of the light, fizzy beer; roll-on, variety…from Pilsner to Bock, Märzen to Dunkel. You can get our merch here - or support us on BuyMeACoffee (Beer) . Beers in this episode: 12 Acres, Ireland - ‘Pallet Jack’ India Pale Lager Der Hirschbräu, Germany - Doppel-Hirsch Dunkel Galway Bay, Ireland - Festbier T...
May 13, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 31
Our Eurovision Song Contest episode in Season 1 was so wildly popular that we couldn’t help but record another! Carolyn, Katie, Lisa, & Thandi had a blast sharing their thoughts and feelings on this year’s lineup as well as the debut of the American Song Contest. Play along by watching the Semi-Finals (10 May & 12 May) and Final (14 May). Some things to look and listen for: aliens in wolf costumes, 70s throwbacks, Ethno-techno, sad boy ballads, feathers, accordions, and hypnotic booties!...
May 06, 2022•1 hr 23 min•Season 2Ep. 30
The regulatory affairs concerning alcoholic beverages can be very different, depending on where the drink is sold or imbibed. Most places have basic laws regarding labeling requirements, minimum age of consumers, trading hours, and drunk driving. These past 4 years in Ireland have seen legislative changes concerning alcohol being sold on Good Friday, whether breweries and distilleries may sell alcohol on their own premises, the banning of loyalty cards and promotions in off-licenses, minimum pri...
Apr 29, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 29
After a 2-year hiatus, in-person beer festivals are back! Katie and Erica got the low-down from Shane (Franciscan Well) and Leah (Fidelity) about all the behind-the scenes logistics that go into organising these events. Some of the subjects they covered include: venue, breweries, safety, music, food, draught dispense management, and non-beer options. Both of these festivals promise to be loads of fun and will feature top-notch craft beer…so if you’ll be attending, please say hello to us Beer Lad...
Apr 22, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 28
This week, we have something new and fun for you…Katie, Lisa, and Thandi gathered craft beer-related questions submitted by you via email and social media and answered them on air. Thank you to everyone who participated! You are an inquisitive bunch and we loved answering your questions! PLUS WE NOW HAVE MERCH! Link here for global shipping: https://beer-ladies-podcast.myspreadshop.ie/ Beers in this episode: Wicklow Wolf, Ireland - ‘Pointy Shoes (2021)’ - https://bit.ly/3vhBRd4 Lineman, Ireland ...
Apr 15, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 27
Do you know your Gueze from your Gose? Carolyn and Erica pick Thandi’s brain about the Beer Judge Certification Program; some topics that come up include the style guide, how to study, the test format, and homebrew competitions. The trio also discuss the other paths to becoming a beer judge: the Cicerone Certification Program and Beer Sommelier- as well as evaluating beer in general. Beers in this episode: Whiplash, Ireland - ‘Das Model’ Vienna Lager - https://untappd.com/b/whiplash-das-model/46...
Apr 08, 2022•56 min•Season 2Ep. 26
And now for something beer-adjacent. Lisa, Christina, and Erica chat about honey, their first encounters with meads at renaissance festivals and mediaeval restaurants, and how they even made their own meads and braggots. Having participated in a virtual tour and tasting with Kinsale Co and done plenty of research, they cover the history, brewing processes, and Christina’s own experiment! Drinks in this episode: Rye River, Ireland - ‘Hop Drops’ Citra Extra Pale - https://untappd.com/b/rye-river-b...
Mar 31, 2022•53 min•Season 2Ep. 25
We wrap up the basics of our ingredient series with the unsung hero: H2O! Despite it covering most of Earth’s surface and making up most of our own bodies, we often take water for granted. We need this precious liquid to survive- on its own and in other drinks/ foods. Along with malted grain, hops, and yeast…water completes a beer recipe. It can come from many sources, be hard or soft, and be treated in various ways. Additionally, it is used in cleaning and waste removal. Our hosts Katie and Tha...
Mar 25, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 24
One of the most iconic names associated with Ireland is that of “Guinness”. Christina, Katie, Lisa, and Thandi may not be drinking the Black Stuff in this episode, but they certainly delved into the historical archives of several breweries and their technological advances and scientific discoveries. There was a shift from local beer made in homes to the machine-driven mass production of beer (which could now be shipped), and this change had an impact on rural communities. From factories and usin...
Mar 18, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Season 2Ep. 23
Christina and Erica sat down with two members of the Women’s Craft Fermentation Alliance Board of Directors: Melissa McCann (Executive Director) and Michele Wonder (Web, Marketing, & Media Director); they discussed their backgrounds, all things beer-y, and their upcoming summit! The Women’s International Beer Summit will take place 22-24 April via Crowdcast, with early bird registration pricing of $40 until 15 March ($50 from 16 March). Check out their website and social media channels below...
Mar 11, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 22
If you’ve ever been on a brewery tour, it’s highly likely that you’ve been told that the Reinheitsgebot is the centuries-old German purity law regarding the only ingredients permitted for a beverage to be called “beer”. Carolyn, Katie, Lisa, and Thandi talk about the history of this law in Germany: what it is, when it was active, where exactly, and why. They discuss the possible role of religion in the law, myths and interpretations of the law in other countries, German breweries using other ing...
Mar 04, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 21
Christina and Erica had the joy of chatting with Mirella Amato, a Master Cicerone, National Level BJCP Judge, and Doemens Bier Sommelier based in Canada. Mirella is a craft beer and sensory consultant and has written the book “Beerology: Everything You Need to Know to Enjoy Beer…Even More”. Her most recent endeavour is teaching an online course on how to pair beer with food. Some topics that came up included whether we are born with sensory abilities or if we can learn them, how having COVID-19 ...
Feb 25, 2022•54 min•Season 2Ep. 20
What’s your zodiac sign? Do you read your horoscope? Whether you’re a fan or a skeptic of astrology, this episode is a bit of craic (enjoyment), as we say in Ireland! Thandi, Christina, and Carolyn discuss the 12 signs, traits associated with people born under them, and what sort of beer might suit them! For any fellow Cancerians, we’re meant to be loyal, good listeners who enjoy the comfort of home and Session IPAs ;) Beers in this episode: Dead Centre, Co Westmeath, Ireland - ‘Gentle Chaos’ Ne...
Feb 18, 2022•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 19
Happy Valentine’s Day! What better way to celebrate than with beer and chocolate: an IPA + spiced or salted dark chocolate, a fruited sour + white chocolate, and a stout + milk chocolate. In this episode, Thandi, Lisa, and Katie participate in a guided pairing by Joanne Love, the Beer School Lady. Joanne has a beer tasting course, A Woman’s Brew Podcast, and an Etsy store with beer printables. Equal parts culture and fun, listen as they chat about her background and how she became a beer expert....
Feb 11, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Whether you prefer Brown, Robust, or Baltic Porters, our co-hosts (Lisa, Katie, Thandi, and Erica) have got you covered. We continue our style series by chatting about the history of Porters, how they are brewed, and how they might be different from Stouts. Beers in this episode: Western Herd, County Clare, Ireland - ‘Night Pod’ Vanilla Porter 5.5% - https://www.westernherd.com/product/night-pod/ Diageo, Dublin, Ireland - ‘Guinness Original’ Extra Stout 5% - https://www.guinness.com/en-ie/our-be...
Feb 04, 2022•40 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Lisa, Christina, Thandi, and Bean head to the fertile crescent to chat about how beer might have been made in ancient Sumer. Christina spent the summer researching and even made a small batch of beer inspired by translations of cuneiform tablets from thousands of years ago. She documented the process on her blog and talked about it today on the show. And the beer was even pretty good! Beers in this episode: Ballykilcavan, County Laois, Ireland - ‘Millhouse Ale’ Pale Ale 4.5% - https://www.ballyk...
Jan 28, 2022•48 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Happy Holidays to our lovely listeners! This is our final episode before our Christmas break and we are joined by Sammie from First Sip Brew Box of Pittsburgh. Thandi, Carolyn, and Erica got the inside scoop on this beer gear business…from their subscription plans to their most popular merchandise to their busiest seasons. Each month, First Sip features a different brewery and builds a box with all sorts of merch and beer-infused products (think t-shirts, glassware, stickers, BBQ sauce, etc). Pl...
Dec 17, 2021•40 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Kate O’D is here, and she’s cooking with beer. Meet Kate O’Driscoll, Instagram sensation and maker of Kate O’D’s goodies, as she chats to Katie, Christina, and Bean. Hear about her take on gluten-free baking, homebrewing, supporting local producers, and how she pivoted from passionate home cook to catering whirlwind, plus some of her cooking collaborations with different beers and brewers. Beers in this episode: Tom Crean Brewery, Ireland - ‘Kerry Surf & Turf’ 4.2% - https://www.tomcreanbrew...
Dec 10, 2021•39 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Katie, Lisa, Thandi, and Erica haul the microphones to Slattery’s to bring you the ambiance of an Early House in Dublin. It’s full of bustling energy on a Saturday morning. We chat about different kinds of pubs and how they addressed a niche in society, and the way they can be physically set up. Slip into the snug with the shebeen queens, and enjoy our experimental sounds. Beers in this episode: 5 Lamps Brewery, Ireland - Pale Ale, 4.8% - https://the5lampsbrewery.com/home/ Guinness, Ireland - Gu...
Dec 03, 2021•48 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Lisa, Christina, and Erica had the pleasure of interviewing E-Commerce & Marketing Manager and Beer Specialist Caoimhe O’Brien of The Beer Club. They discuss everything from Caoimhe’s education and experience to the impacts of COVID-19 and Brexit on the off-license industry to beer advent calendars and virtual tastings. Beers in this episode: Hope Beer, Ireland - ‘Winter Seasonal Emmer Stout’ Dry Irish Stout 5% ABV - https://hopebeer.ie/portfolio-item/emmer-stout/ Dungarvan Brewing Company, ...
Nov 26, 2021•47 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Lisa, Christina, and Bean visit the physical Rye River brewery in Celbridge, County Kildare just outside of Dublin, Ireland, for an interview with Head Brewer Bill Laukitis. We talk about all the brands that Rye River produce (McGargles, Grafters, Solas, Crafty Brewing Co.), as well as Rye River’s core range and their experimental seasonal releases. We sample a brown ale with a special story, and we sample a seasonal brew with an even more barrel-aged story, because we are lucky ducks. We talk a...
Nov 19, 2021•48 min•Season 2Ep. 11
This week, Thandi, Lisa, Katie, and Carolyn cover what exactly Brown Ales are, their history, their sub-styles, how to brew them, and some of our favourites. Whether English, Belgian, or American, these beers may be dark amber to (you guessed it) brown in colour. When smelling and tasting them, you may detect hints of chocolate, caramel, nuts, or malt. Now doesn’t that sound like a lovely style for a chilly November evening? As always, please check out the on-theme beers we chose as well as some...
Nov 12, 2021•45 min•Season 2Ep. 10
