About Shared Times

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Great Beer. Great People. Shared Experiences.

Great Beer.

Great People.

Shared Experiences.

Shared Times was created around one simple belief: beer is better when shared.

For us, beer is about much more than drinking. It’s about discovering new flavours, exploring interesting places, meeting people and creating memories together.

We’re Katie and Michael, and Shared Times is our way of sharing our passion for beer, food and experiences with others.

Together, we explore pubs, bars, breweries and beer festivals, discovering everything from traditional favourites to exciting new beers. Along the way, we share our experiences, recommendations and the occasional disappointment, because discovering beer is all part of the adventure.

Meet Katie

Katie Sanders-Pope is a qualified commercial brewer, beer enthusiast and educator with a passion for sharing her knowledge and experiences of the beer industry.

Her journey into beer began as an interested drinker, but in 2023 her passion developed into a professional career. After completing the Institute of Brewing and Distilling Essentials in Brewing course and passing the Cicerone Certified Beer Server exam, Katie embarked on a brewing apprenticeship with The Old Cannon Brewery in Bury St Edmunds.

In March 2025, she completed her Level 4 Brewer apprenticeship with Distinction and was subsequently shortlisted for the Rising Star Award at the inaugural Women in Beer Awards.

A former teacher, Katie combines her love of education with her passion for beer, helping others discover new flavours, understand brewing and explore the exciting relationship between beer and food.

She hosts tasting experiences and Introduction to Food and Beer Pairing events, making beer education accessible, engaging and enjoyable for everyone.

Alongside her professional brewing experience, Katie enjoys experimenting with home brewing, visiting breweries, exploring beer festivals and sharing her discoveries through Shared Times.

Her commitment to developing her knowledge has seen her achieve a range of professional qualifications and industry recognition.

Katie’s Qualifications & Certifications

⁠Level 4 Brewer Apprenticeship with Distinction (2025)
WSET Level 1 Award in Beer (2025)
⁠Beer & Food Pairing Award (2026)
⁠Cask Marque Cellar Management (2026)
⁠Cicerone Certified Beer Server (2023)

Industry Recognition

Rising Star Award, Women in Beer Awards, Shortlisted (2025)
Best Citizen Beer Communicator, British Guild of Beer Writers Awards, Shortlisted (2023)

Meet Michael

Michael Cain is a Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force whose military career has taken him around the world, giving him the opportunity to experience different cultures, explore new places and discover great beer along the way.

With a passion for beer, travel and meeting people, Michael enjoys exploring breweries, pubs, bars and beer festivals, discovering local favourites and sharing memorable experiences.

He also regularly volunteers at beer festivals, combining his enthusiasm for beer with his enjoyment of bringing people together and supporting the wider beer community.

Through Shared Times, Michael brings his international experiences, love of travel and passion for discovering great beer, sharing the people, places and stories that make every experience unique.

Meet Michael

With a passion for beer, travel and meeting people, Michael enjoys exploring breweries, pubs, bars and beer festivals, discovering local favourites and sharing memorable experiences.

He also regularly volunteers at beer festivals, combining his enthusiasm for beer with his enjoyment of bringing people together and supporting the wider beer community.

Through Shared Times, Michael brings his international experiences, love of travel and passion for discovering great beer, sharing the people, places and stories that make every experience unique.

What You’ll Find at Shared Times

Shared Times brings together our experiences, discoveries and passion for beer.

From beer and food pairing advice to brewery visits, beer festivals, tasting events and home brewing experiments, we aim to inspire you to discover something new.

We believe you don’t need to be a beer expert to appreciate great beer. All you need is curiosity, an open mind and good company.

Join Us on Our Journey

Shared Times is about enjoying the experience, not just the beer.

We hope to inspire you to try something different, visit somewhere new, learn a little more and, most importantly, share those experiences with others.

Here’s to great beer, great company and more Shared Times.