That's why @pelliclemag.com is a byword for integrity - and an essential read.

Cask Lees Moonraker at the Crown, Heaton Lane. Rich and very smooth.

Popped into @petersgatetap.bsky.social and found this beauty from @wishbonebrewery.bsky.social on cask. Smooth, rich and delicious.

Had a lovely afternoon at Chesterfield Beer Festival. Finishing with this from @thornbridge.bsky.social Imperial Stout. The union system seems to smooth out the start but keeps the hoppiness and bitterness in the finish. Result: dangerously drinkable.

Just got my Eurostar booked for Brugs Bierfestival. One of my favourite festivals, this.

When I got an email from @redwillowbrewery.bsky.social about this, I immediately bought a few cans. It was a good move as it's delicious.

As someone who runs a well-established homebrew competition, and can testify to the huge amount of skill in the home-brewing community, I'm not overly enamoured by the dismissive reference to 'garden shed homebrew'.

Just back from a trip to New Mills to check out the new (and very good) bottle shop Banging Bottles. Buzzing atmosphere in @runawaybrewery.bsky.social Tap, where the (cask, obviously) Robust Porter is on superb form.

Had this beauty from @grainstorebrewery.bsky.social in @yeoldevic.bsky.social tonight. Rich and smooth with toffee and dark fruit notes plus a touch of dryness in the finish made for a superb beer.

How to unwax a bottle

On we go. This had lots thrown at it but the 10 years or so in the bottle has mellowed and blended everything into something rather good indeed.

The bottle share continues. This is a blast from the past - 10 year old Dark Matter from the long-defunct Chorlton Brewing. It has salt, coriander and Persian black lime. It's aged pretty well but has inevitably divided opinion.

About to embark on a charity bottle share at @petersgatetap.bsky.social. It's going to be an interesting afternoon....

My first beer since New Year's Eve in @yeoldevic.bsky.social . Consensus is it's tasting rather like Westmalle Dubbel, which is no bad thing.

This is an interesting development.

Just in the Crown, Heaton Lane, where I can confirm that the Ossett White Rat is pretty near perfect.

Just had a very enjoyable boozy afternoon in the Crown, Heaton Lane with @totalcurtis.bsky.social - on the way home I had to pop into @yeoldevic.bsky.social for a final half of this before it goes off...

Inspired by @robshorten.bsky.social , I dug this out of the cellar. Almost 3 years out of date, it's still absolutely on point. De Vossen was a huge loss, stopping just as they'd got going.

I had two friends round for Christmas dinner yesterday (the venison was terrific, even if I say so myself) but before we ate we opened two @burningskybeer.bsky.social bottles. They were both exceptional and I think the Cherry Saison (bottled 2021) might be the best beer I've had this year.

It's been a great afternoon - me and my pal have spent lots of it chatting with friends. He's now gone home and I am having this to finish at @yeoldevic.bsky.social Truly superb beer.

Group of Santas at the Magnet...

Christmas Eve has started well with Fyne Jarl at the Magnet.

Public Service Announcement: Sarah Hughes Snowflake barley wine (8%) will be on sale at @yeoldevic.bsky.social tomorrow from opening at 5pm.

Gearing up for my second Christmas/Winter beer talk at @petersgatetap.bsky.social . The eagle-eyed will note that this time the St Bernardus is in a bottle. It's also been cellared for a year so should be particularly good.

Well now...this Sorachi Ace barley wine, on cask, really is the business. Another @torrside.bsky.social triumph.

Christmas shopping in full swing at @torrside.bsky.social . This is a rather fine chocolate orange imperial stout.

Just finishing the Opening Times proof reading. This afternoon I am out Christmas shopping. In New Mills. At @torrside.bsky.social . Refeshment may also be taken.

Good times at @yeoldevic.bsky.social

Must say, I am delighted to have once again been asked to chair one of the judging panels for the next @camraofficial.bsky.social Champion Winter Beer of Britain competition. Very much looking forward to it. This year it's being hosted by Liverpool Beer Festival.

Other beers have now been opened...

And we have a great crowd

Great to be back at the @petersgatetap.bsky.social hosting another talk. It's Christmas and Winter beers and we have a cracking lineup.

The cheese & onion cobs at @steelfishbrewco.bsky.social are delicious and the Green Hop Bitter is a perfect match. Yum.

Starting the Block Party at @steelfishbrewco.bsky.social Tap. Excellent food options here.

I had a few people round for beers last night. My good friend @daveratkins.bsky.social brought some elderly Belgian Christmas beers along. This one, from a brewery closed in 1954, was astonishing with a trace of carbonation and wonderful depth of flavour with no oxidation at all.

Pleased to say I have now purchased a ticket for the Sunday session at @torrside.bsky.social Smokefest 2026. So looking forward to this.

This might be one of the beers of the day...

The bottle share continues..

This perry is an early highlight, courtesy of @jamesksowerby.bsky.social

Just about to embark on a bottle share. This might get messy.

We all need to get behind this: www.neilsowerby.co.uk/2025/11/17/w...

Very soorry to hear about Jimmy Cliff - a real legend. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Today I spent several hours tidying and sorting out my beer cellar, and also updated my spreadsheet. Always slightly surprised by some of the stuff I come across. Treated myself to this 13.5% number, which is a Pohjala/Pinta collab. The word lush doesn't do it justice.

Just started on the notes for my Christmas/Winter Beer talks at @petersgatetap.bsky.social . Of the six beers, only one has an ABV below 10%. Yikes! It's all sold out for 14th December but tickets may be available for 21st. You don't want to miss this.

Although I didn't post anything yesterday afternoon, it was because I was having such a great time at @salfordbeerfest.bsky.social . Great beer, great atmosphere and great company. What more could you want?

We finish on a bit of a lower point. Not sure about this one and certainly the least successful of the beers we have had. Not sure it works.

Our penultimate beer (number eight) is Sorachi Brut (9.4%) - very enjoyable. A great way to use Sorachi do it doesn't dominate. Good dry and subtle bitterness on the finish.

Beer number seven is a collaboration with Manchester's. @balancebrew.bsky.social . We think West Country IPA is basically a Cantillon Iris clone (says @daveratkins , and he should know) but none the worse for that.

Beer six is Saison Wet Stone (6.5%). Definitely in the saison ball park. Quite easy drinking but also extremely pleasant. Really enjoyable.

We reach beer number five: Munich (6.4%). Malt on the nose, good body and depth of flavour. Not sure what the aged Citra hops bring to the party. Lovely dry finish.