Born out of a passion

Grain & Glass (formerly The Birmingham Whisky Club) was founded by Amy Seton to create a community for whisky lovers in the city. Starting out as a tasting events company in 2011, and popping up in bars and restaurants with unique tastings, events and festivals, around the city, we knew we were onto something special. We brought whisky brands to Birmingham for the first time, put the city on the map for people who loved whisky, and gave a place to those who were just starting their journey into the ‘water of life’. In 2018 we opened the doors to our first venue so we could expand our offering and create a bar, as well as give a home to all our tasting events. We want to make whisky more approachable and change how people view it, and through our bar selection, helpful staff and our tasting events, we think we do this. People now travel from around the country to book onto our tasting events, and we’ve welcomed guests and brands from all over the world, and Grain & Glass is routinely mentioned as one of the best whisky bars in the country to visit, sitting alongside bars in Scotland and London. We were proudly created by Birmingham and love our home here.

Meet the team

Amy

Owner

Amy Seton has been working in the whisky category since 2011 and is well known within the industry. She is credited for creating the whisky scene in Birmingham, via her tastings company, which now encompasses: Grain & Glass - a whisky bar and tasting room, The Birmingham Whisky Club and Whisky Birmingham - a unique whisky festival now in it’s 11th year. Her whisky knowledge is wide and varied and her passion lie within creating spaces and experiences that demystify the often complex world of whisky to those just getting into it. When not at her bar, Amy loves visiting distilleries around the UK, meeting those behind the stills.

Renata

Whisky Specialist

Renata has an extensive history in the whisky world. She started her journey in whisky bars in Lithuania and studying in Scotland, now she's moved to the UK to explore her passion further. She's a regular feature at national whisky shows and you may have spotted her on various posters! You'll find her in the bar hosting tastings, but she also masterminds some of our events and monthly themes. She has an eclectic taste in whisky, but grain whisky holds a special place in her heart.

Steve

Guest Whisky Specialist

Steve is a long time member of The Birmingham Whisky Club and after a 10 year career in manufacturing and industrial automation software, he turned his focus to the world of whisky and joined Grain & Glass as a Whisky Specialist. Steve made the move to Nickolls & Perks to continue his career with this well-respected wine and spirit merchant and now works with us as a guest host on our tasting experiences. His first love in whisky was peated and wine matured, but these days you’ll often hear him reminiscing about Speyside.

Matt

Guest Whisky Specialist

Matt launched the Whisky for Everyone blog in 2008 after struggling to find a website that catered for whisky beginners. The award-winning site is still going strong after 15 years and is one of the most read whisky blogs around, boasting an extensive readership from around the world. Matt was inducted as a Keeper of the Quaich in 2015 for his services to Scotch whisky and remains as one of the only bloggers or whisky influencers to be granted this honour.

He has been published in magazines such as Short List and Whisky Quarterly and has had spells as the resident drinks expert for Huffington Post UK and Ape To Gentleman. His extensive experience includes a stint as UK brand ambassador for Brown-Forman and their Scotch whisky portfolio. Matt also judges at major whisky and spirits competitions including the IWSC, Global Spirits Masters and World Drinks Awards.