 |
Nant Fawr BrewsAuthor: Andy Taylor
Cardiff home-brewer Andy offers NFB on tap - good people and great stories loosely linked to beer. Language: en-gb Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
Listen Now...
The Union Sets - Rarity, Intrigue and a Mixed Future
Thursday, 18 December, 2025
Have you heard the story of The Union Sets?If not... grab a beer, find a comfy spot and listen as my guest - beer writer Laura Hadland - tells this incredible tale. She's right at the heart of the story herself and even had a pint of the last ever Martson's Pedigree batch brewed on them.As well as the Union Sets, in this episode we talk sustainable breweries, the saga of The Crooked House, what "cellar temperature" means and why it's important, plus some amazing recommendations for beers to drink and places to experience at Christmas and into 2026. So, about these Union Sets...The Unions Sets is a term for a system of barrels and troughs that allow a re-circulation of yeast foam and beer in the brewing of cask ale. Invented in a bygone era, they were first an economical innovation, then developed an almost legendary reputation for imparting a certain unique and desirable taste-profile... before gradually being abandoned for cost reasons.With an almost holy-grail aura amongst cask ale lovers, there are now only 2 remaining functioning union sets in existence... and one of them is now locked up in the remains of a closed-down brewery.But the other... it has found a home at Thornbridge, and you can buy beer made on it.Thanks to Laura for being a fantastic guest, here's the link to everything Laura...https://linktr.ee/LauraHadlandAnd if you want to see the Union Sets in action, have a look at this...Thanks for supporting Nant Fawr Brews in 2025, we'll be back for more in 2026!Note - credit for photo of Union Set on episode artwork is Thornbridge Brewery
