This week on the Hop Forward Podcast, we're diving into one of the most fascinating corners of brewing: blending and wild beers with Dan Wye who oversees Origins, the wild and spontaneous fermentation arm of Fyne Ales.
 
From wild yeast and spontaneous fermentation to barrels, foraging, and time-honoured techniques, this episode is all about the magic that happens when nature takes the lead in beer making. 

While Fyne Ales is widely known for its flagship pale ale, Jarl, the brewery has been pushing boundaries since launching its wild beer programme in 2017, drawing inspiration from the rugged Scottish Highlands that surround their farm brewery.

From tart, funky, and fruity flavours to complex, farmyard-esque depth, Origins beers are a true reflection of place, season, and time. In this episode, we discuss:

🍻 The brewing and fermenting process behind wild ales
🛢️ Selecting and preparing barrels for aging
🌿 Foraging for unique local ingredients
📦 Packaging and conditioning wild beers
🔥 And so much more!

Plus, I was lucky enough to receive a hand-delivered case of Origins beers ahead of this episode – so, naturally, I cracked one open for a little review.

🚀 Grab some of the Origins beers for yourself at fyneales.com

THIS WEEK'S EPISODE IS PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Charles Faram & Co (charlesfaram.com)
Supplying hops for over 150 years, Charles Faram offers a vast range of nitrogen-flushed hop varieties from the UK, Europe, New Zealand, and the USA.

Crisp Malt (crispmalt.com)
Since 1870, Crisp has blended tradition with innovation, producing malts like Chevallier Heritage and Clear Choice Malt.

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Nick Smith from Steam Machine Brewing Company joins us on the Hop Forward Podcast this week to discuss their unique subscription service, The Fellowship of the Beer.  The Fellowship of Beer is an extension of Steam Machine Brewing Company’s mission to showcase just how vastly different every pint of beer can be.

Founded in 2015 by husband and wife Nick & Gulen Smith, this North East brewery has always been focused on direct relationships with consumers rather than following race-to-the-bottom mass supply and supermarket deals.  Their idea of craft concentrates on the ultra-artisan side of the market, with draught-led quaffing pints fresh from tanks, and distinctive strong beers, often featuring foraged ingredients, lovingly aged away in extra special barrels for months and years, each one a limited edition release. Involving their already adoring fans – and the local response has made up 50% of the original subscribers – as well as opening up to a national audience has been a natural evolution of their consumer-led style.

Join us as we discuss everything from barrel-aging and packaging, market competitions analysis and big beer, through to the over-saturation of NEIPAs in the market place as well as working with the fellowship to determine what to brew as part of The Fellowship of the Beer.

If you're interested in joining the Fellowship, visit www.fellowshipofbeer.org

THIS WEEK'S EPISODE IS PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Charles Faram & Co (charlesfaram.com)
Supplying hops for over 150 years, Charles Faram offers a vast range of nitrogen-flushed hop varieties from the UK, Europe, New Zealand, and the USA.

Crisp Malting Group (crispmalt.com)
Since 1870, Crisp has blended tradition with innovation, producing malts like Chevallier Heritage and Clear Choice Malt.

FOLLOW HOP FORWARD
hopforward.beer | LinkedIn | BlueSky | Instagram

When Buxton Brewery announced it had gone into administration, shockwaves could be felt across the craft beer community. As a pillar of the UK craft beer scene since 2009, setting benchmarks for quality and innovation with beers like Axe Edge, it was unthinkable that a brewery with such a solid reputation could be amongst the casualties of the current economic climate. However, no business is immune, and Buxton Brewery, it appeared, was no exception.

After facing the challenges of the pandemic and navigating a pre-pack administration in 2023, the brewery is now under new ownership and back on stable ground.

In this episode, Nick travels to the heart of the Derbyshire Peak District to chat with Dominic Metcalfe, Managing Director of Buxton Brewery, in their stunning taproom opposite the brewhouse. Together, they explore the tough realities of running a brewery in today’s climate, the impact of supermarket sales on craft beer, and how Buxton Brewery is forging a path forward in an ever-changing market.

Recorded in September 2024, this candid conversation reveals the complexities of pre-pack administrations, the pressures of the brewing industry, and the enduring passion for quality beer that defines Buxton Brewery.

THIS WEEK'S EPISODE IS PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Charles Faram & Co (charlesfaram.com)
Supplying hops for over 150 years, Charles Faram offers a vast range of nitrogen-flushed hop varieties from the UK, Europe, New Zealand, and the USA.

Crisp Malting Group (crispmalt.com)
Since 1870, Crisp has blended tradition with innovation, producing malts like Chevallier Heritage and Clear Choice Malt.

FOLLOW HOP FORWARD
hopforward.beer | LinkedIn | BlueSky | Instagram

Is regenerative Barley really the future of sustainable malt, or has its benefit been over-hyped?  In this week's episode, Nick hosts a panel debate to hash it out with experts in the field whether this and other low-impact ingredients are the future of sustainable brewing.

Recorded at SIBA Beer X in March 2024, Nick is joined by Greg Piley from Stroud Brewery and Ben Richardson, CEO and co-founder of Zevero, a carbon accounting and decarbonisation platform working with more than 15 breweries across the UK to help them measure and reduce their emissions.  Mark Machin from the Soil Association and Gipsy Hill Brewing Company's co-founder, Sam McMeekin, also add their experience and expertise to the discussion.

We'd like to offer a big thanks to Neil Walker, Head of Comms and Marketing at SIBA, for granting us exclusive access to this recording.

Very much in keeping with the theme this week, Nick is also joined by Charles Faram & Co group technical director Will Rogers to look at regenerative hop farming and research.

THIS WEEK'S EPISODE IS PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Charles Faram & Co (charlesfaram.com)
Supplying hops for over 150 years, Charles Faram offers a vast range of nitrogen-flushed hop varieties from the UK, Europe, New Zealand, and the USA.

Crisp Malting Group (crispmalt.com)
Since 1870, Crisp has blended tradition with innovation, producing malts like Chevallier Heritage and Clear Choice Malt.

FOLLOW HOP FORWARD
hopforward.beer | LinkedIn | BlueSky | Instagram

Liverpool has long been a musical powerhouse. From Echo and the Bunnymen and Frankie Goes to Hollywood to its most famous sons, The Beatles, the City of Pop has shaped global culture. But Liverpool is far more than music and mop-tops.

Home to two iconic football teams, Liverpool F.C. and Everton F.C., the city is also a gem for beer and food tourism. The Grapes pub offers cosy vibes and well-kept cask ales. Dead Crafty on Dale Street showcases rare international beers, while Azvex Brewery & Taproom is a must-visit. For amazing vegetarian Indian street food, Bundobust is unbeatable—don’t miss the Paneer Tikka skewers!

One of my all-time favourite breweries, now sadly closed, was Liverpool’s Mad Hatter Brewery. Known for unique beers like Tzatziki Sour and the outrageous Smokey Bacon and Banana Rauchbier, they embodied creativity in brewing. Though gone, Mad Hatter remains a legend in the modern beer scene.

Today, a lesser-known brewery, Colbier Brew Co, is carrying the torch. Founded in 2024 on a Bootle industrial estate, Colbier is making waves with Proper Sound Beers inspired by music. Founders Mike Corbett, Vik, and Stu have already showcased their brews at top venues like Manchester’s Port Street Beer House and Sheffield’s The Old Shoe.

In this episode, I chat with Mike and Stu about launching a brewery with tight budgets, digging drainage channels with jackhammers, and crafting great beers on a DIY setup. I also speak with Sarah Marshall from Crisp Malting Group about the 2024 British malt harvest and what brewers can expect.

THIS WEEK'S EPISODE IS PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Charles Faram & Co (charlesfaram.com)
Supplying hops for over 150 years, Charles Faram offers a vast range of nitrogen-flushed hop varieties from the UK, Europe, New Zealand, and the USA.

Crisp Malting Group (crispmalt.com)
Since 1870, Crisp has blended tradition with innovation, producing malts like Chevallier Heritage and Clear Choice Malt.

FOLLOW HOP FORWARD
hopforward.beer | LinkedIn | BlueSky | Instagram

Stay tuned for new episodes of the Hop Forward Podcast coming this December!  In the meantime, Nick gives us the lowdown on what's been happening over the past year since the podcast has been in the fridge/on chill/conditioning/lagering {insert your beer metaphor here}.

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This episode marks a turning point for the Hop Forward Podcast as it will be the last episode of the show before we go on hiatus (or a 'hop rest' as we prefer to call it) for a while.  In this episode, Nick shares his reasons why he's taking some time away from the show.

Following this introspection, he dives into a compelling beer conversation with Cameron Brown, the co-founder of Turning Point Brew Co. Together, they explore the brewery's growth journey, navigating the challenges of the pandemic, and the exciting transition into Rooster's former brewery.

THIS WEEK'S EPISODE OF THE HOP FORWARD PODCAST IS SPONSORED BY CHARLES FARAM.
Charles Faram have been sellers of hops since 1865 and hop-growers for even longer.

They stock nitrogen-flushed leaf hops, T90 and T45 pellets, and, to ensure their hops remain in optimum condition, they have state-of-the-art cold stores at their sites in Worcestershire and Yakima in the USA.

At charlesfaram.com brewers can shop by pay-as-you-go or using agreed credit terms for yeast, malt, fruit purees and other brewing products.  In addition to leading varieties from across the world, the Faram’s Family range brings to you Archer®, Emperor®, Godiva™, Harlequin®, Jester®, Most™, Mystic™, Olicana®, and Opus® from their Hop Development Programme right here in the UK.

If you would like more information or expert advice visit the brewer’s resources and FAQ pages of the website or contact their technical advisors for different uses, applications and recipes. They’re always really happy to help.

Visit www.charlesfarm.co.uk to find out more.

Follow Hop Forward:
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On the podcast this week, Nick is joined by Chris Terry from 86 Carbon to talk about the impacts of climate change on the brewing and hospitality industry and explore ways to make your business more sustainable and eco-friendly.

86 Carbon specialise in Accredited Carbon Literacy training, which leads to an understanding of how climate change will affect individuals and the industry around them.  They help those in the brewing sector acquire the skills and knowledge to lower their carbon footprint by as much as 15%, and certification from the Carbon Literacy Project is recognised internationally.

Chris and the company support businesses in the brewing and hospitality sector find a pathway to net zero so they can save money, gain customers and protect the planet.

In addition, we're joined by Will and Peter from Charles Faram to discuss sustainability on the hop farm and how climate change is and could potentially impact the industry as a whole, including asking the question, 'Will climate change be the end of Citra hops...?!'.

THIS WEEK'S EPISODE OF THE HOP FORWARD PODCAST IS SPONSORED BY CHARLES FARAM.
Charles Faram have been sellers of hops since 1865 and hop-growers for even longer.

They stock nitrogen-flushed leaf hops, T90 and T45 pellets, and, to ensure their hops remain in optimum condition, they have state-of-the-art cold stores at their sites in Worcestershire and Yakima in the USA.

At charlesfaram.com brewers can shop by pay-as-you-go or using agreed credit terms for yeast, malt, fruit purees and other brewing products.  In addition to leading varieties from across the world, the Faram’s Family range brings to you Archer®, Emperor®, Godiva™, Harlequin®, Jester®, Most™, Mystic™, Olicana®, and Opus® from their Hop Development Programme right here in the UK.

If you would like more information or expert advice visit the brewer’s resources and FAQ pages of the website or contact their technical advisors for different uses, applications and recipes. They’re always really happy to help.

Visit www.charlesfarm.co.uk to find out more.

Follow Hop Forward:
hopforward.beer | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

Without marketing you may have a flagship beer that no one will ever taste.  Marketing is one the most important aspects of your business that often gets overlooked or is grossly misunderstood as merely posting a few images to social media and watching the sales come flooding in.

But in a crowded beer market, how should we be marketing our breweries, bars, bottle shops and brands?  What can we do to stand out on the bar, pop-out of the fridges and get repeated sales?

In this week's episode, we return to Moonwake Beer Co (see episode 108) and catch up with Marketing and Events Manager, Sarah Sinclair.  Drawing from a wealth of experience working in beer and hospitality, Sarah took up the position with Moonwake in January 2021, helping the brewery to establish the brand nationally.

THIS WEEK'S EPISODE OF THE HOP FORWARD PODCAST IS SPONSORED BY CHARLES FARAM.
Charles Faram have been sellers of hops since 1865 and hop-growers for even longer.

They stock nitrogen-flushed leaf hops, T90 and T45 pellets, and, to ensure their hops remain in optimum condition, they have state-of-the-art cold stores at their sites in Worcestershire and Yakima in the USA.

At charlesfaram.com brewers can shop by pay-as-you-go or using agreed credit terms for yeast, malt, fruit purees and other brewing products.  In addition to leading varieties from across the world, the Faram’s Family range brings to you Archer®, Emperor®, Godiva™, Harlequin®, Jester®, Most™, Mystic™, Olicana®, and Opus® from their Hop Development Programme right here in the UK.

If you would like more information or expert advice visit the brewer’s resources and FAQ pages of the website or contact their technical advisors for different uses, applications and recipes. They’re always really happy to help.

Visit www.charlesfarm.co.uk to find out more.

Follow Hop Forward:
hopforward.beer | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

On this episode of the Hop Forward Podcast, we delve into the often-overlooked art of selling craft beer.  While we've covered a wide range of brewing topics in the past, it's time to explore the other crucial half of the beer industry: sales.

We examine the challenges of selling beer and the importance of building trust and relationships with customers.  Featuring the insights of Darren Filsell and Ben Stephenson, seasoned bar owners who are about to launch a Belgian Beer Cafe, Devil’s Depot, in Chesterfield, this episode provides valuable perspectives on what bar owners look for when purchasing beer from breweries.

Tune in for an insightful discussion that sheds light on the craft beer sales landscape and offers tips for success in a saturated market with wavering consumer confidence.

Nick is also joined by Will and Ben from Charles Faram to discuss dry hopping techniques and how everybody's brewhouse is unique when it comes to adding hops on the cold side.

THIS WEEK'S EPISODE OF THE HOP FORWARD PODCAST IS SPONSORED BY CHARLES FARAM.
Charles Faram have been sellers of hops since 1865 and hop-growers for even longer.

They stock nitrogen-flushed leaf hops, T90 and T45 pellets, and, to ensure their hops remain in optimum condition, they have state-of-the-art cold stores at their sites in Worcestershire and Yakima in the USA.

At charlesfaram.com brewers can shop by pay-as-you-go or using agreed credit terms for yeast, malt, fruit purees and other brewing products.  In addition to leading varieties from across the world, the Faram’s Family range brings to you Archer®, Emperor®, Godiva™, Harlequin®, Jester®, Most™, Mystic™, Olicana®, and Opus® from their Hop Development Programme right here in the UK.

If you would like more information or expert advice visit the brewer’s resources and FAQ pages of the website or contact their technical advisors for different uses, applications and recipes. They’re always really happy to help.

Visit www.charlesfarm.co.uk to find out more.

Follow Hop Forward:
hopforward.beer | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram