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In this episode of Beer Rep Chats, I'm joined by Jack Hobday, co-founder of Anspach & Hobday, for an in-depth conversation about the remarkable rise of London Black, one of the UK's most talked-about nitro porters.
Jack shares the story of how two friends turned a homebrewing hobby into one of London's most respected independent breweries, the inspiration behind London Black, and why it has become a favourite among craft beer drinkers across the UK.
We disc…
Alcohol-free beer has come a long way in a short space of time, but what's really driving its growth?
This week on The Beer Rep Chats With, I'm joined by Sam, founder of We Can Be Friends, one of the UK's few breweries dedicated solely to alcohol-free beer.
We dive into Sam's journey from production brewer to launching an alcohol-free beer brand, why collaborations have played such a huge role in its success, and how breweries are changing the way they app…
This week on The Beer Rep Chats With, I'm joined by Kuba Zaleski, brewer at 3 Locks Brewing, to explore his journey from homebrewing to crafting award-worthy beers beside London's iconic Regent's Canal.
We discuss how a chance encounter with a bottle of Hobgoblin sparked a brewing career, and why great brewing is about far more than just recipes. Kuba shares his passion for traditional European beer styles, including the brewery's much loved Schwarzbier, German-st…
This week on The Beer Rep Chats With, I'm joined by Ryan Dack, General Manager of Vibrant Forest Brewery.
We dive into the brewery's 15-year journey from a garage brewing project to one of the UK's most respected independent breweries. Ryan shares the story behind their iconic Pupa Pale Ale, how the brewery has adapted through changing beer trends, the importance of collaboration in the independent beer scene, and why community remains at the heart of everything they d…
This week on The Beer Rep Chats With, I’m joined by Todd Fullarton of Wilful Beer, one of the UK craft beer scene’s fastest rising breweries and multiple gold medal winners at BeerX and Maltings Fest.
We dive into Todd’s journey from TQ Beer Works to launching Wilful Beer in 2024, why modern West Coast IPA deserves more attention in the UK, and how the brewery built such a strong identity from day one. We also discuss hop saturation, advanced hop products, cask vs keg, the state of U…
This week, I’m joined by Kevin Kelly of Howe Beer Project, fresh off winning Best New Independent Brewery at BeerX.
But what really sets them apart? Community.
We dive into how Howe Beer Project was built with people at its core, creating a space that’s welcoming, inclusive, and designed to bring locals together. From turning a huge empty venue into a thriving taproom/brewery, to focusing on customer experience over chasing distribution, Kevin shares a different way of thinki…
In this episode of The Beer Rep Chats With, I’m joined by Ross Gandon, founder of Swallow Brew Co, a new independent brewery based on the outskirts of Folkestone, Kent.
Ross shares his journey through the highs and lows of the beer industry, from previous ventures like Angels & Demons and McCann’s Brewery, to starting fresh with a smaller, more creative setup focused on quality, experimentation, and most importantly… having fun.
We dive into:
Why scaling down can …
In this episode of The Beer Rep Chats With, Martin speaks with Ash Corbett-Collins, Chairman of CAMRA, about the growing challenges facing UK pubs and independent breweries.
From pub closures and rising costs to the lack of access to market, this conversation dives into why it’s becoming harder for drinkers to find local, independent beer—and what needs to change.
Ash also shares insights on CAMRA’s future strategy, the end of the Great British Beer Festival, and whether micr…
From brewing 100-litre batches beneath a 16th-century pub to building a thriving modern brewery and taproom, this episode dives deep into the journey of Abyss Brewing with founders Andrew and Andy.
We explore how a passion for hoppy beers, inspired by early UK craft pioneers and US influences, turned into a business built on creativity, community, and constant evolution. Starting under The Pelham Arms in Lewes, Abyss Brewing grew through experimentation, self-funding, and a relentles…
In this episode of The Beer Rep Chats With, I’m joined once again by Neil Walker from the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates to reflect on the progress of the Indie Beer Campaign one year after its launch.
When Neil first joined me on the podcast, the campaign had only just begun. Now, twelve months later, we look at how the movement has grown across the UK, with hundreds of breweries joining the initiative and increasing awareness among drinkers about what truly defines a…
In this episode of The Beer Rep Chats With, Martin sits down with Elizabeth Townsend, co-founder of Kerroo Brewing on the Isle of Man, to explore the realities of building an independent brewery in a unique island environment.
Elizabeth shares the story behind starting Kerroo Brewing, the motivations that drove her into brewing, and how location influences everything from sourcing ingredients and logistics to distribution and community connection. We discuss the opportunities and cha…
In this episode of The Beer Rep Chats With, Martin sits down with Matt Gorecki from Zapato Brewing to explore the realities of building an independent brewery in today’s UK beer landscape.
Matt shares the story behind Zapato Brewing — from early days working in hospitality and beer festivals to launching a nomadic brewery, navigating the pandemic, and building a thriving taproom inside a converted Victorian mill in Marsden.
The conversation dives into the challenges facing in…
In this episode of The Beer Rep Chats With, Martin is joined by Peter Kennelly, Head of Sales at Pillars Brewery, London’s first independent brewery dedicated exclusively to lager.
Peter shares his journey through the UK beer industry, from hospitality, BrewDog and Siren Craft Brew, to how he found himself helping grow one of the country’s most respected premium lager breweries. Together, they explore why brewing great lager is so hard, why there’s “nowhere to hide” with the style, a…
In this episode of The Beer Rep Chats With, Martin sits down with Dominic Driscoll, Production Manager and award-winning brewer at Thornbridge Brewery.
Dominic shares his journey into brewing, from early days at Marble Brewery to helping shape one of the UK’s most respected independent breweries. The conversation explores how the UK beer scene has evolved over the last 20 years, why Jaipur became such a defining beer, and how Thornbridge balances tradition, consistency, and innovatio…
In the final episode of The Fab Four series, Martin sits down with Ben Saward and Simon Whittington from Muntons to explore the malt that shapes every beer we drink. They break down the malting process of steeping, germination, and kilning, and explain the differences between base malts, specialty malts, roasted malts, and adjuncts.
The conversation dives into brewing science, malt extract, consistency, kernel size, modification, and how malt affects everything from lagers to hazy IP…
This episode is Part Three of The Fab Four Series, where Martin breaks down the core foundations of brewing with industry experts.
Martin is joined by Iain Kenny of Murphy & Son for a practical and approachable look at how water treatment impacts beer.
They discuss how water chemistry shapes beer styles, the challenges brewers commonly face, how to build accurate water profiles, and the importance of brewing salts and chloride–sulphate balance.
Iain also explains Burto…
In this episode of The Beer Rep Chats With, Martin continues The Fab Four mini-series exploring the four core ingredients of beer, this time focusing on the unsung hero of brewing — yeast.
Joining him is Paul Malcolm from WHC Lab, a biotechnology company based in Ireland that’s leading innovation in yeast and fermentation. Together, they dive deep into how yeast shapes the flavour, aroma, and mouthfeel of beer, and why it deserves far more recognition than it gets.
Paul expla…
Martin chats with Dale Harvey, founder of The Great British Pub Crawl, who’s on a mission to visit every pub in Britain. Dale shares how a small challenge in Nottinghamshire turned into a nationwide campaign to celebrate and save the great British boozer.
They discuss the state of the UK’s pubs — rising costs, pubco restrictions, government inaction, and why these community hubs are vital for culture, tourism, and mental health. Dale highlights the rise of micro pubs as the future of…
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 dri…
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.
Grab Tim's Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F…
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 su…
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 si…
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 tod…
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…