Women of WoT

NADIA SPENCER

BREW YORK  

‘Brewing is so much fun and being able to share the experience and meet so many awesome women in beer was fantastic.’ 

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your role in the beer world? 

I started working in bars and pubs where I developed an appreciation for good beer, then being a live in manager for a country pub beer basically became my life. Once I left hospitality I started a brewing apprenticeship with Brew York which I am still completing but have now been promoted to assistant brewer.  

What inspired you to get into brewing and what challenges have you faced since starting? 

Learning about the complexity of beer and brewing was really what got me so excited about getting into production. Especially in craft, realising the possibilities of what you can do, I really wanted to be a part of that and be creative. This history of beer and particularly women in beer is amazing and what made me finally decide to learn to brew. For me brewing is the perfect combination of science and magic.  

It has had its challenges, there’s a huge amount to learn and it’s physically demanding. The last year has been very tiring but I keep learning and keep getting stronger.  

Our WoT collaboration beer was your first solo brew! How did you find the experience and are you as excited as we are for the finished product? 

It was daunting to begin with, and I can’t pretend I wasn’t stressed that morning! But once the day began, I was able to relax and enjoy it. Brewing is so much fun and being able to share the experience and meet so many awesome women in beer was fantastic.  

‘For me brewing is the perfect combination of science and magic.’

I can’t wait to see it pouring at the festival! (It’s tasting great) 

What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into beer production, but maybe doesn’t think they have a place in brewing?

We need to move away from the ‘traditional’ ideas of who beer is for and made by. The history of beer lies with women and comes from all over the world, there’s no reason why anyone from any background can’t find a place in the industry. Groups like WoT are doing amazing work to help make beer and more and more inclusive space, but we still need greater diversity in the industry and particularly in production. Maybe if you’re feeling like you don’t have a space, you are exactly what the industry needs.  

Tell us about someone in the industry that inspires you, or just deserves a shout out? 

I have to shout out Lilith Harrison-Rooke (previously at Brew York and now at Cold Town (https://coldtownbeer.com) who has been a huge inspiration to me and an awesome person to work with.  

Most important question.  
What is your favourite beer you’ve made so far and what's your favourite beer to drink right now? 

My favourite beer I have been involved with at Brew York has to be Born Under Peaches, our peach iced tea sour. I am also a huge tea lover and combining my two favourite drinks is a dream, plus we collaborated with my favourite local tea shop. I am never able to choose a favourite beer to drink because I want to try new things all the time! But now it’s getting warmer it’s definitely sour season for me!