Grain And Glass Birmingham’s Ultimate Whisky Haven
Amy Seton
Welcome To Breaking Bread Amy Seton Grain and Glass
Calling all whisky lovers! In this episode, we sit down with Amy, a corporate pro turned whisky mastermind, who’s now a driving force in Birmingham’s whisky scene. Discover how she turned her passion for whisky into an iconic whisky venue Grain and Glass and launched the city’s very first whisky festival!
Who Is Grain And Glass Creator Amy Seton
In the shadows of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, amidst the glint of gold and the clatter of craftsmanship, sits Grain & Glass, a whisky bar born from grit, passion, and one woman’s refusal to follow the script. Amy Seton’s journey didn’t begin behind a bar or in a distillery; it began in the unremarkable confines of a corporate office. But life rarely sticks to the plan—and sometimes, that’s the best thing that can happen.
Amy wasn’t the type to settle for monotony. While her corporate marketing career checked the right boxes, it left her restless. Like a whisky left unaged, something was missing. She craved more than spreadsheets and campaigns. What started as a side hustle organizing food and drink events in Birmingham, a city long overshadowed by London’s culinary dominance soon spiralled into a full-blown obsession: whisky.
Opening Grain And Glass
Here’s the thing about whisky: it doesn’t care about your doubts. It’s honest and unrelenting, much like the path Amy chose. What started as intimate whisky tastings and pop-up events snowballed into a community. And when the opportunity came to open a bar—set against the quirks and constraints of a Grade II listed building—she didn’t flinch. Amy embraced the challenge like a chef embraced the heat of a new kitchen.
Her journey wasn’t without bruises. A severe health issue could have derailed everything. But if you ask Amy, those moments of vulnerability fueled her resolve. “Whisky is about stories,” she often says. And hers is one of resilience, community, and guts.
What To Expect From Grain And Glass
Grain & Glass is more than a bar; it’s a sanctuary for whisky lovers and the whisky-curious alike. Whether you’re a connoisseur chasing rare cask-strength releases or a newbie who just wants to know what the hell a single malt is, you’re welcome here. Amy has carved out a space where community comes first, where you can sip your way through the world one glass at a time.
What makes Amy’s story resonate isn’t just the whisky—it’s the grit. It’s the willingness to roll with the punches, to take risks, and to build something meaningful out of the chaos. Grain & Glass isn’t just a business; it’s a testament to resilience, passion, and the power of saying yes to the unknown.
So, next time you’re in Birmingham, make your way to the Jewellery Quarter. Order a dram—something smoky if you’re feeling bold. And as you sit there, surrounded by the hum of conversation and the clink of glasses, raise a toast to Amy Seton—a woman who turned her passion into her purpose and gave Birmingham something to be proud of.
Watch The Full Podcast
00:00 Welcome to Breaking Bread Housings
00:18 Exploring the Jewelry Quarter
02:59 Amy’s Journey to Birmingham
05:55 Starting the Food and Drink Events Company
08:40 The Birth of Whiskey Birmingham
09:56 Opening the Bar in the Jewelry Quarter
18:53 Creating a Community Bar
20:57 The Fascination with Whiskey
28:31 The Rise of English Whiskey
35:36 Traveling to Islay: A Unique Experience
36:33 The Charm and Challenges of Islay
37:28 Whisky Production on Islay and Other Islands
40:18 Global Whisky Trends and Innovations
50:29 The History and Heritage of Whisky
56:45 Whisky Tasting and Community
01:05:06 Birmingham’s Whisky Scene and Evolution
01:07:14 Fun and Personal Insights
Get Social With Amy/Grain & Glass
Website- https://grainandglass.co/
Insta- https://www.instagram.com/grainandglassjq
https://www.instagram.com/amyseton/
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/GrainandGlassJQ/
X- https://twitter.com/grainandglassjq
Sponsors
Stock Local Craft Rum Burning Barn In Your Venue- https://www.burningbarnrum.com/pages/trade-1
Buy Burning Barn Rum- https://www.burningbarnrum.com/collections/3-rums
Follow Burning Barn On Insta- https://www.instagram.com/burningbarnrum/
Food Delivery Businesses Sign Up & Save Money With Easy Food Here- https://easyfood.co.uk/restaurant-opportunity
Download Easy Food App Here- https://easyfood.co.uk/
Follow Easy Food On Insta- https://www.instagram.com/easyfood.co.uk/
Follow Easy Food West Mids- https://www.instagram.com/easyfood.westmidlands/
Opening Drone Footage From Rob At Alto Drones- https://www.instagram.com/alto.drones/
Music From Tom Ford- https://www.instagram.com/thetennischampion/
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