The latest episode of Beer Prime is out now, featuring Alix Blease of #Lallemand. Get it wherever you get your podcasts, or here: 🎧 tinyurl.com/2s3cm7ty

With the next episode out tomorrow, I’ve been busy getting another one recorded, with Rory and John from Pilgrim Brewery. Whilst recording I had two gorgeous beers - Longhorn and Templar. This one’s due out in March.

A half of a @hammertonbrew.bsky.social Walk West for the road in House of Hammerton.

Another visit to The Pocket, with a gorgeous red ale from @fyneales.bsky.social, an amazing pale from @kernelbrewery.bsky.social, @cloudwaterbrew.bsky.social’s lovely 11th Birthday special (HB to Paul and the gang!), and a cracking Howling Hops Dark Mild.

A “bright beer” evening with some amazing beers from @adnamssouthwold.bsky.social, @thornbridge.bsky.social, and @sierranevadabeer.bsky.social.

Popped in to Hop Stop and enjoyed @ Beak Brewery and @verdantbrew.bsky.social beers. Before leaving, I had to have some more of the gorgeous Cubed - also from Beak, with a little help from Boxcar.

Sad to hear the news of Des de Moor’s passing. I only met Des a couple of times. He was an interesting man with a mass of beer knowledge and a love of singing. RIP Des.

Two Saturday evening beers of legendary status - @elusivebrewing.com Oregon Trail and @timothytaylors.bsky.social Landlord.

A nightcap of @thornbridge.bsky.social Between the Sheets. Stunning!

I only got 2 of the 5 @trackbrewingco.bsky.social collab beers with Canadian breweries, as I’m a bit over DIPAs at the moment. But the two I got - collabs with Brasserie du Bas and Superflux were incredible. Two of the best beers I’ve had in a while.

Went to the cinema tonight but first popped in to Hop Stop as the Beak Brewery x Boxcar Double Dark Mild (now called Cubed) was pouring. Used to love the Boxcar beer & this is a great version. Also had gorgeous another collab - @verdantbrew.bsky.social x Birrificio Italiano’s Disco Italiano.

The next episode is in the bag already! I met with Alix from Lallemand to talk all things Yeast! We met up at @sirencraftbrew.bsky.social’s Reading bar for the interview and had some lovely beers while we chatted.

I’m back for 2026 with a new episode featuring Kev McNally from Art & Craft CR0 and Esther Sutton from The Oval Tavern and The Royal Standard. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or here: 🎧 tinyurl.com/bdexxsxu

NEW LOGO!! (1 of 4 colourways)

Time for the Oregon Trilogy beers from @elusivebrewing.com. First off, I had the beer that inspires the special trilogy - OG OT - followed by the newcomer DDH version, ensuring to save a bit of each to sample side-by-side. I love the original beer, and the DDH is more Citra forward. 1/4

It’s not a universally liked style, but I do like a good Mild, especially this one from @kernelbrewery.bsky.social in collaboration with Redemption Brewing. Another quality beer inspired by a 19th-century London recipe. (Pic of beer in glass missed, as I was too quick to dive in!)

I took a couple of the Distant Lands Trade Project beers away and had them both tonight. The Rivington beer was a bit green last week, but now it’s absolutely spot on - really great beer. The Baron Westie is lovely. A great project!

I’ve made a great discovery! Ok, not in the Columbus/Einstein realm, but I’ve found a pub called The Pocket in Islington. What a gem!! Great cask and keg selection, and on my visit today I’ve enjoyed very well kept beers from @burtonbridgebrew.bsky.social, Howling Hops, and Pretty Decent. 1/2

Two lovely Westies - the first from @verdantbrew.bsky.social, and the next from @roostersbrewco.bsky.social - and a great Impy from @northernmonk.bsky.social.

It was also @verdantbrew.bsky.social Putty 2026 Day at Hop Stop, and although I’m not a DIPA fan in general, I thought I should give it a go. It was actually rather good!

The Trade Project 2026 - a collaboration between wholesaler Distant Lands and four breweries - Baron, Rivington, Beak Brewery, and Elmeleven. Four beers which cannot be obtained anywhere but the on-trade - pubs, bars, bottle shops. I’ve had them at Hop Stop. 1/3

I’ve been out in Croydon this evening, recording the first episode of 2026 at The Oval Tavern, with its owner Esther Sutton, and Kev McNally from Art & Craft CR0. After recording, I popped into A&C too.

I’m very much looking forward to this years Trade Project, a trade only set of beers from Distant Lands in collaboration with Baron, Beak Brewery, Elmeleven, and Rivington Brew Co. Check the second image for launch venues. I’ll be enjoying the beers at Hop Stop Beers.

I’m out for a business event in London. There’s going to be plenty to drink, but as I’m early I’ve come to a nearby pub for a “livener” (do they still call it that?) of @salopianbrewery.bsky.social Shropshire Gold!

I haven’t had @pressuredropbrw.bsky.social Pale Fire in a while, but it’s an absolute banger! Such a well crafted beer. Followed up by another gorgeous beer from @roostersbrewco.bsky.social.

A few beers this evening starting with a great session pale from @durationbeer.bsky.social, before moving on to a classy Best Bitter from my local brewery Pilgrim Brew, then finishing with Drop Project’s Flow - a lovely American Pale. It’s always satisfying when all beers hit the spot!

A few drinks before the cinema (28 Years Later: The Bone Temple) at Hop Stop. Started with a great beer from @verdantbrew.bsky.social and Garage, before a classic cask beer from Woodfordes Finally, I shared a monster Impy stout from @Vault City. How’s that for an eclectic mix?!

I’m not doing Dry January, but if I was then I’d be more than happy with this AF number from @unbarredbrewery.bsky.social. After that beer with a lack of alcohol (but full of flavour) I went big - 10% Stoutzilla from the same brewery, which was sumptuous, silken, and spectacular.

I’m loving the great new artwork on these @roostersbrewco.bsky.social cans. It’s part of the series of new designs for their “Assassin” range of beers and is the work of freelance artist David Bailey. The fact that the beers are incredible is a massive bonus!

I am visiting my parents this weekend and I’ve brought some beers along with me. All three of these were lovely, as to be expected, but isn’t the London Black a thing of beauty? Both in looks and taste. Beers from @burningskybeer.bsky.social Left Handed Giant Anspach & Hobday

Four lovely beers from Burnt Mill, DEYA, Westerham Brewery and @verdantbrew.bsky.social.

In December I was at Brasserie de la Senne to record part of the Xmas episode with Yvan da Baets. I took some beers home, and these are the last two - Wadesda #9, an 8% blend of their Jambe de Bois & Cantillon’s Lambic; and their classic session hoppy ale Taras Boulba. Top notch! I need to get more!

Lovely day at the beautiful @painshill.bsky.social before an early dinner at The Ivy Cobham for my wife’s birthday. Great to see a small indie beer on the menu from Coalition Brewery.

Friday night beers from @durationbeer.bsky.social and @sirencraftbrew.bsky.social.

Off to a neighbour’s New Years Eve party and have sorted my beers. As I’ll probably forget to take photos of them in the glass, here they are… Five Points Brew, @northernmonk.bsky.social, Buxton Brewery, Double Barrelled

What a great saison this is from Brasserie de la Senne. I understand it’s the last time they will bottle this beer, so I’m glad to got to try it.

A swift half of @timothytaylors.bsky.social Boltmaker in The Wellington, before moving on to The Harp for another half - this one from Ampersand. Last beer was at Craft Beer Co, Covent Garden, and was @kernelbrewery.bsky.social Pale Ale.

Lager day today, the first one from @durationbeer.bsky.social and the next purchased at Berlin Airport earlier in the year.

It’s that odd time between Christmas and New Year, so whilst I’d probably not have any beers on a Sunday, there’s no work tomorrow, so I’ve cracked open a couple of Brasserie de la Senne beers (very good, both of them!) and a gorgeous festive stout from Anspach & Hobday.

We’re back home from a great family Christmas and have decided to take away fish and chips. To go with it, I’ve had two very nice beers from @verdantbrew.bsky.social x Birrificio Italiano (two pics of the can) and @unbarredbrewery.bsky.social.

Today’s beers were from Anspach & Hobday, Brasserie de la Senne and Vault City. Only three beers but cocktails and bourbon galore! I’m rather squiffy today!

Merry Christmas!! Thanks for a cracking 2025, and here’s to a great 2026!!

Top quality Christmas Eve beers from Amundsen Brewery @sierranevadabeer.bsky.social, Vault City and @cloudwaterbrew.bsky.social. Merry Christmas!

Christmas movies … done ✅

My last visit to Hop Stop before Christmas featured a Beak IPA and then a couple of Christmas beers from Delirium and Lervig.

Went to pick up a Christmas present at the winery next door, so it would have been rude not to visit Westerham Brewery for a couple of beers and lunch. Beers as good as ever!

Prior to dinner we had some drinks at The Blue Maid and I was happy to have a couple of lovely beers from @elusivebrewing.com, including the incredible Oregon Trail.

I’m up in London for the cinema and dinner later on. A swift half of Ilkley Brewery Lotus at The Harp, Chandos Place before the movie.

This evening’s beers - two from @unbarredbrewery.bsky.social and one from @durationbeer.bsky.social. All three were great. Nice to have a Belgian inspired beer after being in the country last weekend.

The Christmas Special 2025 is now available! There’s a chat with UK breweries @thornbridge.bsky.social @unbarredbrewery.bsky.social and @indierabble.bsky.social about the year in beer; plus a chat with Yvan from Brasserie de la Senne. 🎧 tinyurl.com/mr87bvs4