242 - It started with a meat raffle
Description
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:
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