In this episode, we chat with Sean O’Reilly, founder of Brid’s Cross Brewery, a Rochdale based brewery where folklore and fermentation go hand in hand. Sean shares the journey of how Brid’s Cross was born from a blend of personal passion, family encouragement, and a love for storytelling.

We also dive into:

• How Sean turned homebrewing into a full-time brewery
• Why storytelling is at the heart of Brid’s Cross
• The challenges of starting an independent brewery today
• Cask vs keg, British hops, and experimenting with yeast
• Getting indie beer into pubs and beyond

Whether you’re a fan of traditional cask ales, modern hop-forward styles, or just love a good origin story, then this episode has something for you.

Check out The Beer Rep store: https://thebeerrep.com

Follow Brid’s Cross on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridscrossbrew

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Shop for craft indie beers at our online store and get 20% off your first order when you subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on our socials for the latest beers to hit The Beer Rep shop.

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In this episode, Martin sits down with Dave Hayward, co-founder of Indie Rabble, to explore the bold journey from running one of Berkshire's best-known micropubs (A Hoppy Place) to launching a community-driven independent brewery.

We chat about:

How Indie Rabble was born during turbulent times in the industry

What it really takes to grow an indie brewery in the current market

The release of Indie Pils, their new core range Pilsner

Why pubs need to support true independents, not just big golobal brands

Lessons learned in their first 2 years — and what’s next for Indie Rabble

Whether you’re a beer drinker, homebrewer, or indie beer advocate, this is a real, honest conversation about starting small, thinking big, and staying independent.

👉 Like, subscribe and leave a comment — and don’t forget to check out the featured beers from Indie Rabble at The Beer Rep.

Follow Indie Rabble Socials

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indierabble
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indierabble

Have any questions about the show? Drop us a message!

Support the show

Shop for craft indie beers at our online store and get 20% off your first order when you subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on our socials for the latest beers to hit The Beer Rep shop.

We deliver to the UK only. Free delivery to UK mainland for all orders £60 or more.

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Instagram https://instagram.com/thebeerrepchatswith

TikTok https://tiktok.com/@thebeerrepuk

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In this episode, Martin sits down with James Stiff from The Malt Miller, which is the go to UK supplier for homebrewing gear, ingredients, and advice.

From his first brew in 2016 to becoming a central figure at The Malt Miller, James shares how his passion for brewing turned into a full-time role helping others discover the joy of brewing at home. We explore:

• Choosing the right brewing kit for your skill and budget
• What’s trending in hops, yeast, and brewing tech
• How The Malt Miller helps new brewers with video content, recipe kits, and  their Home Brewing 101 series
• Recipe design tips using SMASH techniques and pressure fermentation
• Sneak peeks into upcoming collaborations and new product launches

Links:

The Malt Miller site:
https://www.themaltmiller.co.uk/

Stiffo's House Hazy Pale recipe:
https://www.themaltmiller.co.uk/product/stiffos-house-hazy-pale-all-grain-recipe-kit/

Buy indie beer (UK delivery only):
https://thebeerrep.com/

Have any questions about the show? Drop us a message!

Support the show

Shop for craft indie beers at our online store and get 20% off your first order when you subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on our socials for the latest beers to hit The Beer Rep shop.

We deliver to the UK only. Free delivery to UK mainland for all orders £60 or more.

Online Store https://thebeerrep.com/shop

Instagram https://instagram.com/thebeerrepchatswith

TikTok https://tiktok.com/@thebeerrepuk

YouTube https://youtube.com/@thebeerrepchatswith

Facebook https://facebook.com/thebeerrepchatswith

In this episode we speak to Mike from Colbier Brewery who recently won the SIBA business award for Best New Independent Brewery in the UK at BeerX. He shares his journey from a music background to starting a brewery in Liverpool. He discusses the challenges of finding a suitable location, the influence of Liverpool's music scene on their beer themes, and their take on traditional beers. Mike also highlights the current craft beer market, the innovative ingredients they use, and the feedback they receive from the community. He shares Colbier's future plans, including new beer styles and potentially opening a taproom/pub.

Have any questions about the show? Drop us a message!

Support the show

Shop for craft indie beers at our online store and get 20% off your first order when you subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on our socials for the latest beers to hit The Beer Rep shop.

We deliver to the UK only. Free delivery to UK mainland for all orders £60 or more.

Online Store https://thebeerrep.com/shop

Instagram https://instagram.com/thebeerrepchatswith

TikTok https://tiktok.com/@thebeerrepuk

YouTube https://youtube.com/@thebeerrepchatswith

Facebook https://facebook.com/thebeerrepchatswith

In this episode of The Beer Rep Chats With, we sit down with Jonny Garrett – beer writer, YouTuber, and co-founder of The Craft Beer Channel⁩  – for an in-depth conversation about the future of cask ale and the UK beer industry.

Jonny shares how his love for beer began in British pubs, how the pandemic impacted cask beer, and why he's campaigning to have cask ale recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. We also explore:

• The evolving world of beer publishing and writing
• The role of influencers vs traditional beer writers
• Challenges facing UK breweries: market access, rising costs, and changing tastes
• The birth of The Craft Beer Channel
• A peek at his upcoming homebrew project

If you love beer culture, support independent UK breweries, or are passionate about preserving pub traditions, this episode is a must-listen.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you're passionate about beer and brewing!

Sign the petition to get cask ale recognised as intangible cultural heritage: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/716686

Buy The Meaning Of Beer: https://amzn.eu/d/59HiNUy

Have any questions about the show? Drop us a message!

Support the show

Shop for craft indie beers at our online store and get 20% off your first order when you subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on our socials for the latest beers to hit The Beer Rep shop.

We deliver to the UK only. Free delivery to UK mainland for all orders £60 or more.

Online Store https://thebeerrep.com/shop

Instagram https://instagram.com/thebeerrepchatswith

TikTok https://tiktok.com/@thebeerrepuk

YouTube https://youtube.com/@thebeerrepchatswith

Facebook https://facebook.com/thebeerrepchatswith

In this episode, Martin chats with Jonny from Pipeline Brewery about the journey of starting a brewery, the unique identity of their beers, and the challenges faced in the beer industry. They discuss the importance of community engagement, home brewing insights, and the balance between creativity and consistency in brewing. Jonny shares his experiences with yeast management and the future of the UK indie beer market, as well as the exciting move to their new brewery in Newquay.

Buy Pipeline Beer: https://thebeerrep.com/

Have any questions about the show? Drop us a message!

Support the show

Shop for craft indie beers at our online store and get 20% off your first order when you subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on our socials for the latest beers to hit The Beer Rep shop.

We deliver to the UK only. Free delivery to UK mainland for all orders £60 or more.

Online Store https://thebeerrep.com/shop

Instagram https://instagram.com/thebeerrepchatswith

TikTok https://tiktok.com/@thebeerrepuk

YouTube https://youtube.com/@thebeerrepchatswith

Facebook https://facebook.com/thebeerrepchatswith

In this episode, Danny Tapper from Beak Brewery shares his journey from a homebrewer to the owner of a successful independent brewery. He discusses the challenges faced during the pandemic, the importance of community, and the meticulous process behind brewing consistent and high-quality beers. Danny also speaks about the story behind their branding, collaborations with other breweries, and the exciting launch of their new non-alcoholic brand, Nolia.

Tickets for Three Hills Festival

Have any questions about the show? Drop us a message!

Support the show

Shop for craft indie beers at our online store and get 20% off your first order when you subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on our socials for the latest beers to hit The Beer Rep shop.

We deliver to the UK only. Free delivery to UK mainland for all orders £60 or more.

Online Store https://thebeerrep.com/shop

Instagram https://instagram.com/thebeerrepchatswith

TikTok https://tiktok.com/@thebeerrepuk

YouTube https://youtube.com/@thebeerrepchatswith

Facebook https://facebook.com/thebeerrepchatswith

In this episode of The Beer Rep Chats With, Martin speaks with Ash Corbett-Collins, the chairman of CAMRA, about the significance of cask ale in British culture, the challenges it faces, and the ongoing campaigns to promote and preserve it. They discuss the importance of choice in pubs, the role of beer festivals, and the value independent breweries bring to local communities. Ash shares insights on engaging younger audiences and the future of CAMRA, emphasising the community aspect of beer culture and the need for more local independence in the brewing industry.

Following the UK’s ratification of UNESCO's Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, we call on the Government to recognise production and serving of traditional British cask ale as Intangible Cultural Heritage. 

Sign Petition

CAMRA Website

GBBF (Great British Beer Festival)

Have any questions about the show? Drop us a message!

Support the show

Shop for craft indie beers at our online store and get 20% off your first order when you subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on our socials for the latest beers to hit The Beer Rep shop.

We deliver to the UK only. Free delivery to UK mainland for all orders £60 or more.

Online Store https://thebeerrep.com/shop

Instagram https://instagram.com/thebeerrepchatswith

TikTok https://tiktok.com/@thebeerrepuk

YouTube https://youtube.com/@thebeerrepchatswith

Facebook https://facebook.com/thebeerrepchatswith

In this episode, Amelie Tassin from Women in Beer discusses her journey in the beer industry, the creation and growth of the Women in Beer group, the challenges women face in the industry, and the importance of mentorship. She highlights the need for inclusivity and support for women in beer, sharing insights on upcoming projects and the impact of their mentorship program.

Women In Beer Socials:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Have any questions about the show? Drop us a message!

Support the show

Shop for craft indie beers at our online store and get 20% off your first order when you subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on our socials for the latest beers to hit The Beer Rep shop.

We deliver to the UK only. Free delivery to UK mainland for all orders £60 or more.

Online Store https://thebeerrep.com/shop

Instagram https://instagram.com/thebeerrepchatswith

TikTok https://tiktok.com/@thebeerrepuk

YouTube https://youtube.com/@thebeerrepchatswith

Facebook https://facebook.com/thebeerrepchatswith

In this engaging conversation we spoke to co founder Oli Hurlow from Attic Brew Co, who shares the journey of starting a brewery in Birmingham, the challenges faced, and the importance of community and local support. He discusses the evolution of their beer offerings, the significance of cask ale, and the impact of COVID-19 on their business. Oli emphasises the need for independent breweries to connect with their local markets and the role of tap rooms in fostering growth. He also shares exciting future plans for Attic Brew Co and encourages aspiring brewers to reach out for advice.

Have any questions about the show? Drop us a message!

Support the show

Shop for craft indie beers at our online store and get 20% off your first order when you subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on our socials for the latest beers to hit The Beer Rep shop.

We deliver to the UK only. Free delivery to UK mainland for all orders £60 or more.

Online Store https://thebeerrep.com/shop

Instagram https://instagram.com/thebeerrepchatswith

TikTok https://tiktok.com/@thebeerrepuk

YouTube https://youtube.com/@thebeerrepchatswith

Facebook https://facebook.com/thebeerrepchatswith