Pints and the Past is brought to you by The National Brewery Heritage Trust. If you are fascinated by the history of the British brewing and pub industry and how it shaped a nation, we have a wealth of stories to tell you.
This is not a podcast just for people who drink beer, it's for those who always wondered who made the beer and why. Expect pints of enthusiasm and a few industry secrets along the way.
Learn more about the National Brewery Heritage Trust at www.breweryheritage.com
What have the Romans ever done for us? Well it turned out they introduced the pub to Britain! In this episode we cover all the key moments in the history of the British pub - from the Romans and the monasteries, through the Gin craze, the Beer Orders and Covid. Throughout centuries of change, pubs have remained the heart of communities, providing much more than a place to get a pint.
Find out more about the National Brewery Heritage Trust, including how to join the Trust at www.breweryheritage.com
Thanks to our sponsors Nelsons Law (https://www.nelsonslaw.co.uk)
1 Jun 2026
Episode 5: The Bass Story
We talk about Bass in this episode - and there's a lot to talk about! From William Bass setting up his brewery in Burton upon Trent in 1777 to the 1967 merger of Bass, Mitchell and Butler with Charringtons United Breweries, it's a rollercoaster of a story involving many twists and turns. We discuss how the company grew from one man taking an opportunity, to the major corporation that was Bass plc, the impact of the Beer Orders in the late 1980s and the legacy of Bass on the industry today.
Find out more at www.breweryheritage.com
Thanks to our sponsors Nelsons Law www.nelsonslaw.co.uk
18 May 2026
Episode 4: Beer advertising
In this episode Chris and Jenny talk about beer advertising and how it evolved, from the very different ways Bass and Guinness approached advertising in the early twentieth century to the biggest campaigns of the 1980s and 1990s.
From the rise and fall of "blokey" beer ads, to ads that might be considered art, listen to how changes in the industry led to a massively competitive environment. We discuss some of our favourite ads in detail and ask the question: do we think beer advertising will ever be as good again?
Thanks to our sponsors Nelsons Law – find out more at www.nelsonslaw.co.uk
For more information about the National Brewery Heritage Trust go to ww.breweryheritage.com
15 Apr 2026
Episode 3: Changing Times
In this episode we talk about how the industry has adapted to change, particularly in the 20th century. From a last trip to the seaside in July 1914, to the different ways two world wars impacted upon the industry, find out how brewers coped with changing times.
For more about the Trust go to www.breweryheritage.com
Thanks to our sponsors Nelsons Law. Find out more about them at www.nelsonslaw.co.uk
15 Apr 2026
Episode 2: Not just Bass!
Welcome to the second episode of Pints and the Past.
In this episode Chris and Jenny explore three of the big four Burton brewers: Salts, Allsopps and Worthington. From their origins as small family businesses in the centre of Burton upon Trent all three grew into major companies. In their Victorian heyday they supplied beer across the world and significantly grew their pub estates. Listen to the stories of these major players and how they shaped a town and changed the face of the industry.
For more about the Trust go to www.breweryheritage.com
Thanks to our sponsors Nelsons Law. Find out more about them at www.nelsonslaw.co.uk
15 Apr 2026
Episode 1: Why Burton?
Welcome to the first episode of Pints and the Past.
In this episode Chris and Jenny ask Why Burton? How did a small English town become the centre of the British beer industry? From the so-called magical waters to the transport links that were built to support other industries, to the opportunities presented by international politics and the entrepreneurs who invested in the town, hear our views on the growth of Burton upon Trent.
For more about the Trust go to www.breweryheritage.com
Thanks to our sponsors Nelsons Law. Find out more about them at www.nelsonslaw.co.uk
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