The Beer Rep Chats With
The Beer Rep Chats With is your front-row seat to the UK’s independent beer scene. Join host Martin as he sits down with brewery founders and industry insiders to uncover the stories behind the pints — from recipe innovation and branding, access to market struggles, and community impact. Expect honest conversations, brewing insights, and a few laughs along the way.
From Dance Floors to Brew Floors: With Hackney Church Head Brewer Jacob Hobbs
In this episode of The Beer Rep Chats With, Martin sits down with Jacob, Head Brewer at Hackney Church Brew Co to explore his inspiring path from training as a contemporary dancer to head brewer.
Jacob shares the story behind Hackney Church Brew Co, a London-based independent brewery that’s all about community, creativity, and great beer. He talks about his brewing philosophy, how the team develops new recipes, and what it means to create beers that welcome everyone — from casual drinkers to passionate beer fans.
We also dive into upcoming collaborations, the future brewery move...
Elevating Independent Breweries Through Branding: With Tim Weaver
Martin chats with Tim Weaver, founder of The Brand Weaver, about how indie breweries can level up their branding. From avoiding common mistakes to sharing success stories and practical strategies, Tim reveals what it takes to stand out in today’s crowded beer market. Plus, a sneak peek at his upcoming book Branding for Breweries.
Perfect for brewery owners, beer lovers, and anyone curious about the power of great branding.
The Brand Weaver Socials
Website: https://thebrandweaver.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.co...
The Fab Four: Hops With Will Rogers from Charles Faram
Part one of a four part mini series from The Beer Rep Chats With called The Fab Four, exploring hops, malt, water, and yeast. In this episode Martin speaks with Will Rogers from Charles Faram about the history and sustainability of British hops. They discuss the unique qualities of British hops, the changing demand in the beer market, and the innovative breeding programs aimed at developing new hop varieties. Will shares insights into the challenges faced by hop growers, the importance of sustainability, and the future of hop production in the UK. The conversation also touches on different hop...
From Fashion to Brewing: Kate Hyde's Journey to Head Brewer at Hand Brew Co
In this episode, Martin speaks with Kate Hyde, the head brewer of Hand Brew Co., about her unique journey into the brewing industry, the ethos behind Hand Brew Co., and the importance of diversity and inclusion in brewing. Kate shares her experiences, challenges, and insights on the craft beer scene, particularly regarding the role of women in brewing and the need for greater consumer awareness of independent breweries. The conversation also touches on the future of the UK beer scene, the significance of community, and the signature beers of Hand Brew Co.
Follow us and drop a...
Turning Stories Into Beer: The Folk Tale Inspired World of Brid's Cross
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:
Whet...
From Serving Beer to Brewing It: The Birth of Indie Rabble
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...
Inside The Malt Miller: Homebrewing in the UK
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:
From Music to Brewing: The Colbier Journey
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...
Cask Ale: Why It Deserves Heritage Status
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:
Surfing Waves To Brewing: Pipeline Brewing Co
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/
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Crafting Quality: Inside Beak Brewery with Danny Tapper
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
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Why Cask Ale Matters: Insights from CAMRA's Chairman
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...
Breaking Barriers: Women in the Beer Industry
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
Facebook
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From Attic to Brewery: The Journey of Attic Brew Co
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.
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SIBA’s Indie Beer Campaign: Why It Matters for Beer Lovers
In this episode, Neil Walker from SIBA discusses the challenges faced by independent breweries, including market access and profitability. He highlights the impact of COVID-19 on consumer behaviour and the launch of the Indie Beer campaign aimed at raising awareness about independent breweries. The conversation delves into consumer misconceptions about what breweries are independent and the importance of supporting local businesses. Neil emphasises the need for clear identification of independent breweries and the campaign's goals to bridge the gap between consumer preferences and actual purchasing behaviour.
Indie Beer Campaign Website: https://indiebeer.uk/
Adrian Tierney-Jones Author of A Pub For All Seasons
In this episode of The Beer Rep Chats With, we sit down with acclaimed beer writer Adrian Tierney-Jones to talk all things pubs, pints, and the evolving world of beer. Adrian shares insights from his latest book, A Pub For All Seasons, exploring how pubs change with the rhythm of the year, and much more random topics.
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William Mayne of Bullhouse Brew Co
In this episode of The Beer Rep Chats With..., we sit down with William Mayne, founder of Bullhouse Brew Co. in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to discuss the challenges of running an independent brewery in a region with some of the UK’s most restrictive licensing laws.
William shares the journey of Bullhouse Brew Co., and how they’ve navigated the unique obstacles that come with brewing and selling craft beer in Northern Ireland. We dive into the impact of outdated laws on indie breweries, the push for reform, and what changes need to happen to help...
Andy Parker of Elusive Brewing
The Beer Rep Chats With... Andy Parker of Elusive Brewing 🎙🍻
In our very first episode, we sit down with Andy Parker, founder of Elusive Brewing, to chat about his journey from homebrewer to brewery owner. We dive into the story behind Elusive, his new book The Modern Homebrewer, and the challenges of running an independent brewery in today’s industry.
We also talk about the four Elusive beers now available on The Beer Rep:
🍺 Level Up (5%) – A bold, hoppy American Red
🍺 Enclave (5%) – A juicy Hazy Pale, brewed with Bearwood
🍺 Serenity (3.8%) – A rich and flavorful Dark Mild...
