Hop Forward: Getting You Ahead in the Brewing and Beer Business

This week, we're taking a departure from beer and diving into the world of cider. Nick shares his personal fascination with cider and his quest to learn more about the fermented beverage.  Joining him is Mike Pomranz, the man behind The Cider Hole in Sheffield and Beer & Food writer, who is on a mission to challenge the negative stereotypes associated with cider, whilst making some fantastic ciders from his unit in Shalesmoor.

With his knowledge and humour, Mike shares his passion for all fermented beverages and the process of making cider using apples from gardens across the Steel City.

Just a heads up, the episode contains some strong language and has some distorted sound levels.  But if you're ready to learn about the world of cider and challenge your perceptions, this is an episode you don't want to miss!

Plus, stick around for a quick update on the upcoming SIBA Beer X event and two seminars you're not going to want to miss. Don't miss out!

THIS WEEK'S EPISODE OF THE PODCAST IS PROUDLY SPONSORED BY:
Lallemand Brewing
LalBrew NovaLager™ is an innovative new hybrid lager yeast from Lallemand brewing. Belonging to the newly created Group 3 lager yeast category, Novalager exhibits increased temperature tolerance for faster and more forgiving fermentations.

Produced using a non-GMO yeast breeding technique, Lalbrew Novalager incorporates a patented technology, which prevents the creation of hydrogen sulphide which can lead to sulphurous off-flavours in the final beer. Additionally, Lalbrew Novalager produces a reduced level of diacetyl, allowing for shortened storage times post-fermentation.

Lallemand Brewing, ‘We Brew With You’.
https://www.lallemandbrewing.com/

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In this episode of the Hop Forward podcast, hosts Nick Law and Sean Robertson delve into the controversial world of marketing transparency in the beer industry.  They begin by discussing BrewDog's recent controversy over their decision to partner with ABInBev to brew their flagship brands in China.

The conversation then turns to the differences between a brand like Madri vs Guinness and how the latter still feels authentic and embraced by all craft beer drinkers, despite also being owned by a global beverage company.

Throughout the episode, Nick and Sean emphasize the importance of transparency in marketing and urge breweries to be honest about their values and practices.  As ever, the episode provides thought-provoking insights into the complex intersection of beer, marketing, and ethics, while Nick tries not to offend the French.

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In this episode, we sit down with Cheryl and Dan from Somerset's Quantock Brewery to discuss the exciting topic of upscaling your brewhouse.

Join us as we dive into the challenges and opportunities of taking your brewery to the next level.  We'll explore the process of expanding your brewhouse, from sourcing new equipment to scaling recipes, and how to navigate the financial and logistical considerations along the way.

Our guest, Quantock Brewery, shares their experiences of upscaling their own brewery, from the initial planning stages to the final commissioned brewhouse. They discuss the benefits of upscaling, including increased production and catering to subscription customers and international markets, as well as the potential pitfalls to avoid including considerations around drainage, power and the things we often fail to think about.

Whether you're a seasoned brewer looking to expand your operation or a newcomer to the craft beer scene, this episode is a must-listen.  Tune in to the Hop Forward Podcast and join us as we explore the exciting world of upscaling your brewhouse.

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In this episode, we sit down with George Brook, co-owner of Triple Point Brewery in Sheffield. With a passion for craft beer and a drive for success, George and his dad, Mike, took a risk and purchased the Sentinel Brewhouse kit and took over the space.  George shares the story of how they turned the struggling brewery into the thriving business it is today, with a focus on selling beer to trade customers.

For more of the back story, go back and listen to Episode 4: Ups & Downs of Running a Brewhouse, with Master Brewer Alex Barlow.

He delves into the strategies and techniques they used to increase sales, from building relationships with local bars and restaurants to expanding their product offerings.  We also discuss the challenges they faced and how they overcame them, from navigating the competitive market to balancing the financial side of the business.

Join us for a fascinating conversation with George Brook as he shares his insights and experiences on growing a successful craft brewery, and how he and his dad brought Sentinel Brewhouse back from the brink. Whether you're a beer lover or a business enthusiast, this episode is not to be missed.

Also on this week's show, we're joined once again by James from Ninkasi Rentals & Finance, who talks about CO2 recapture and how to save money in your brewhouse by harnessing the CO2 created by fermentation.

THIS WEEK'S SHOW IS SPONSORED BY: Ninkasi Rentals & Finance
Ninkasi Rentals & Finance is an ideal partner for fast growing and innovative businesses ensuring maximum flexibility of production to take advantage of the very latest techniques, styles and market opportunity.

Ninkasi provide high quality equipment to the drinks industry and have a range of products in stock available for immediate delivery.  As drinks industry experts they not only deliver and install equipment, but also happily provide further support to you and your business.

Visit ninkasirentals.co.uk today to find out more.

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This week, Nick & Sean take a quick look at sales and some of the considerations breweries of any size should make when it comes to selling their beer.  Is there a 'silver bullet' when it comes to selling craft beer to publicans, operators and retailers...?  You'll need to listen to find out!

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In this episode of Hop Forward Podcast, we sit down with John and Ollie from Great Beyond Brewing Company. These two industry veterans have a wealth of experience in the world of beer, having previously worked for Fourpure Brewing Company before branching out on their own to start Great Beyond Brewing Company in Hoxton.

Join us as we hear about their journey from corporate beer to independent craft brewing, and learn about the unique beers and brewing techniques they're experimenting with at Great Beyond, as well as the time that John met Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak.

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Bad puns aside, on the Hop Forward Podcast this week we're excited to welcome Karl Boon of Belgium's Brouwerij Boon, who shares his expertise on all things Gueuze and Lambic.

Karel is well-known for his passion and commitment to creating high-quality, authentic Belgian beers, taking on the role alongside his brother Jos, from his father Frank, who set the brewery up in 1978.

We discuss the unique process of brewing Gueuze, how they achieve the perfect balance of flavours every time given the spontaneous nature. This is an episode you won't want to miss for anyone interested in learning more about this traditional Belgian style of beer.

Also on this week's show, we're joined by the team from Ninkasi Rentals & Finance, who will be sharing insights on how to grow your brewery throughout tough economic conditions.  We look at the ways in which the current economic crisis is similar to and different from the recession of 2008, why crowdfunding is no longer a viable option and explore alternative financing options for your brewery.

THIS WEEK'S SHOW IS SPONSORED BY: Ninkasi Rentals & Finance
Ninkasi Rentals & Finance is an ideal partner for fast growing and innovative businesses ensuring maximum flexibility of production to take advantage of the very latest techniques, styles and market opportunity. 

Ninkasi provide high quality equipment to the drinks industry and have a range of products in stock available for immediate delivery.  As drinks industry experts they not only deliver and install equipment, but also happily provide further support to you and your business.

Visit ninkasirentals.co.uk today to find out more.

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In our Fermenting Thoughts this week, Nick and Sean discuss the Wild Beer Co buyout by Curious, the resurrection of Kelham Island Brewery and ask the question, 'Do consumers really care about transparency?'.

We also discuss how supermarkets have massive amounts of leverage over our lives and explore why working on your vision, values and core philosophy is a much better foundation for your brewery than a brewery floor.

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January is a time for self-reflection, focus and setting goals and targets for the new year that lies ahead.  So, in the spirit of the season and asking questions about the future of my own brewery (www.emmanuales.co.uk) I thought it time to crack out a discussion I had with George Collins of Cornwall's Bluntrock Brewery a few months ago.

All Bluntrock beers are designed, brewed & sold on site out of three shipping containers, one of which houses their taproom, one their coldstore and one their 150L (yes, one hundred and fifty litre) brewery and 1, 2 and 3BBL fermenters.

In this episode, we ask whether the nano brewery taproom model is even viable, ever practical or makes financial sense?  Given that Bluntrock Brewery and taproom is now a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, we would argue it does... but certainly not without its challenges!

We discuss the brewery, the impracticalities, the taproom, beer trends and look to the future, both for Bluntrock's expansion and where the wider industry is heading.

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Happy Christmas everyone!  We've got some great full length episodes coming in the New Year (stay tuned to the end to find out more!) but we thought we'd throw in some Fermenting Thoughts on live music venues, lo-to-no ABV beers and why venues should feed their damn musicians!

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