The Hop Addition

Welcome back to the Hop Addition Podcast! In Episode 128 we’re cracking open a full-on listener Q&A session — with questions ranging from insightful to ridiculous and everything in between. We tackle brewing philosophy, gear, technique debates, and some truly questionable lifestyle advice…A huge shoutout to our partner sponsor The Malt Miller, the UK’s premier supplier for all things homebrew. Don’t forget to check out the Hop Addition recipe section on their site, and keep an eye out for big discounts on brew pots, BrewZilla and Grainfather systems, the Apollo Titan, and 10% off Muntons malts.Tonight we dig into:🍺 Brewing roots & philosophy — why we started, what we’d change, and our top tips for new brewers🧠 Motivation & lifestyle — avoiding burnout, dodgy claims about Brewer’s Droop, and hiding your latest homebrew purchases🛠️ Equipment & hacks — DIY gear, favourite gadgets, and building the ultimate home pub🧪 Techniques & tweaks — recirculation, oxygenation, cold crashing, krausen dry hopping, mash hopping, FWH, and how temp impacts hop flavour🧼 Cleaning & sanitation — PBW vs Oxi, no-rinse rules, and how clean is clean enough🧬 Ingredients & yeast — dry vs wet yeast, ALDC, and what “craft” really means🌿 Hops & adjuncts — best combos, noble hop/thiol experiments, and the weirdest adjuncts that actually worked🤖 Future trends — AI in brewing, next year’s fashionable beer, and what we want to try in 2026🍽️ Beer beyond the glass — cooking with beer, favourite parts of the hobby, and whether brewing or drinking wins out👉 Next episode: We’re joined by Wheatlow Brewery’s Richard Baggaley — don’t miss it!📲 And as always, tag us on social media with your latest brews, setups, and beer adventures.Cheers, and we’ll see you at the after party! 🍻

In this episode of the Hop Addition Podcast, we’re diving deep into one of the most exciting trends in modern brewing: hoppy lagers. From classic Czech and German pilsners to Italian pilsners, New Zealand pilsners, IPLs, Cold IPAs, and West Coast pilsners — we’re breaking down what defines these styles, how they differ from hoppy ales, and how to brew them brilliantly at home.We’re talking:🌾 How to adapt a standard lager recipe💧 Water profiles, pH, and process tweaks🌿 Hopping rates, whirlpool vs dry hop approaches✨ Clarity challenges (and how to fix them)🧪 Yeast strains and modern hop products🎯 Achieving that perfect balance of crisp lager character with big hop expressionWe also debrief on the Love & Beer Festival with Craft Beer Channel and The Malt Miller, share what we’re drinking, and answer live questions from listeners tuning in.Tag us with your latest homebrew, festival pours, or favourite beers — and stay tuned for more from the Hop Addition.

Ever wondered what really happens between the keg and your pint glass? In this episode of The Hop Addition Podcast, we’re talking beer dispense — the art and science of serving the perfect pint.From mobile keg setups and gas management to taps, kegerators, line cleaning, and cellar hygiene, we’re covering everything that keeps your beer tasting fresh and pouring just right. Whether you’re running a home bar, setting up for an event, or just curious about the tech behind your favourite pour, this one’s packed with practical tips, brewing banter, and gear talk.We’ll dig into topics like:🍺 The cheapest way to start kegging⚙️ Gas blends, regulators, and flow control🧊 Keezer and kegerator builds🧽 Line cleaning routines and cellar management🍻 Cask vs keg dispense systemsHuge thanks to our partner The Malt Miller, your one-stop shop for all things homebrew. Check out their Hop Addition recipe section and grab a kit from our own archive or one of our guests.👉 Next up: we’ll be back after the Love & Beer Festival with a Hoppy Lager brew day special

Grab your steins and join us for a deep dive into the golden heart of Germany’s greatest beer celebration — Oktoberfest! In this episode of The Hop Addition Podcast, we’re cracking open a few classic Festbiers and Märzens to explore what makes these brews the true taste of autumn.We’ll be tasting:🍺 Augustiner Festbier🍺 Ayinger Märzen🍺 Giesinger Festbier…and even Andy’s own homebrewed Festbier!Expect plenty of chat on the origins of Märzen and the rise of Festbier, how to tell them apart, and the brewing science behind each — from malt and yeast selection to fermentation, lagering, and decoction mashing.Huge thanks to our partner The Malt Miller, your go-to for everything homebrew. Don’t forget to check out the Hop Addition recipe section and grab your tickets to the upcoming Love and Beer Festival, where you can meet us in person and sample some of our own brews!💬 Got a favourite Festbier or Märzen? Let us know on socials and share what’s in your glass.So fill your stein, cue the brass band, and get ready for a Wunderbar evening of German beer talk and good vibes. Prost! 🍻👉 Next up: A special episode discussing all things dispense related, kegs, taps, gas and more!

The Hop Addition is back with Episode 124, and tonight we’re welcoming back a fan favourite — the one and only Mr Hoddinot! Join us as we catch up with the real brewer himself for another deep dive into all things hops, malt, and Maverick.We’re talking new beers, new techniques, and a few wild experiments along the way:🍺 Lowtide — a 4% session hazy mashed at 72°C🦅 Big Bird — thiolised yeast magic and hop unlocking🥭 Smoosh — kettle sour meets mango madness in a fruity slushie-style brewWe’ve also got updates from Maverick Brewing, a look back at LCBF, and teasers for our upcoming Oktoberfest special — complete with a new Hop Addition beer pack from our friends at The Malt Miller, the UK’s premier supplier of all things homebrew.👉 Got a question for Hod? Drop it in the comments or hit us up on socials.💬 Don’t forget to share, subscribe, and tag us in your latest brews.Cheers from the Hop Addition crew — see you at the after party! 🍻

In this episode of The Hop Addition Podcast, we’re donning the robes and diving deep into the sacred world of Monastic Ales — the legendary Belgian beers inspired by centuries of Trappist tradition.Join us as we explore BJCP Section 26, tasting our way through all four styles:🍺 Westmalle Extra (Belgian Blonde)🍺 St Bernardus Pater 6 (Dubbel)🍺 Abbaye De Rochefort Triple Extra (Tripel)🍺 Straffe Hendrik Quadrupel (Quad)We’ll break down what makes a beer Monastic versus Trappist, share a bit of brewing history, and (hopefully) keep our pronunciation straight by the time we reach that final Quad!Huge thanks to our sponsor The Malt Miller, your go-to for everything homebrew. Don’t miss their upcoming Love and Beer Festival on October 17th — homebrew bar, brewery collabs, food, bottleshares, and more. Grab your tickets at TheMaltMiller.co.uk, and come meet us for a pint!💬 Got a favourite Trappist or Monastic ale? Join the conversation on our socials — we love hearing what’s in your glass.👉 Next up: we welcome back Maverick Brewing Co. for a special drink-along episode (use code THEHOPADDITION15 for a curated beer pack at maverickbrewingco.com).So pour yourself something Belgian and join us on a spiritual journey through malt, yeast, and devotion.

Is homebrewing really in decline? In this episode of The Hop Addition, we take a critical look at recent claims that the homebrew hobby is dying. From rising costs and changing drinking habits to competition from craft breweries and shifting lifestyles, we explore the factors shaping the future of homebrewing.But it’s not all doom and gloom—this is also a celebration of why we brew, what keeps the community strong, and how the next generation of homebrewers can keep the hobby alive and thriving.👉 Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on the state of homebrewing and what’s next for the craft.#Homebrewing #FutureOfBrewing #CraftBeer #BeerPodcast #TheHopAddition #WhatsKillingHomebrew

In Episode 121 of The Hop Addition, we dive into the art and science of advanced lager brewing. From water chemistry adjustments, malt selection, and decoction mashing to yeast health, spunding, and fast lagering methods, this episode is packed with expert tips to help you brew crisp, clean lagers at home.We cover both classic lager styles—Vienna, Märzen, Czech Dark, Baltic Porter—and modern takes like NZ Pilsner, IPL, Rauchbier, and Japanese Rice Lager. Along the way, we share recipe insights, commercial examples, and pro-level hacks to elevate your homebrewing.👉 Whether you’re chasing that perfect Pilsner or experimenting with new lager techniques, this is your complete guide to brewing lager at home like a pro.#AdvancedLagerBrewing #Homebrewing #CraftBeer #LagerBrewingTips #TheHopAddition

In Episode 120 of The Hop Addition, we’re joined by Tom Ray from Bullhouse Brewing Company for an in-depth chat about their standout core range, the brewery’s journey, and what sets their beers apart in a crowded craft scene.We take a close look at Bullhouse’s brewing philosophy, explore the stories behind their flagship beers, and get Tom’s insights on recipe development, branding, and staying creative in a competitive market.Plus, we dive into a detailed review and discussion of the recipe for ‘Suds’, one of Bullhouse’s popular brews—unpacking the ingredients, techniques, and inspiration behind it.👉 Tune in for an inspiring and informative look at one of Northern Ireland’s most exciting breweries!#BullhouseBrewCo #CraftBeer #CoreBeers #Homebrewing #BeerRecipes #BreweryChat #TheHopAddition #BeerPodcast

A big announcement from founding member Chris

In this flavour-packed episode of The Hop Addition, we sit down with James Stiff from The Malt Miller for a relaxed (and beer-filled) chat. We crack open several of James’ own brews and dive deep into how he developed the … Episode 118 – James Stiff from TMM Read More »

In this hop-forward episode of The Hop Addition, we’re joined by Guy Perry from Hopsteiner, one of the world’s leading hop suppliers and innovators. Guy gives us an inside look at Hopsteiner’s cutting-edge breeding programs, unique hop products, and what … Episode 117 – Guy Perry from Hopsteiner! Read More »

In this thought-provoking episode of The Hop Addition, we gaze into the (beer-filled) crystal ball to explore what the future holds for homebrewing, the brewing industry, and drinking culture as a whole. We dive into how emerging technologies, environmental pressures, … Episode 116 – Brewing in the future! Read More »

In Episode 115 of The Hop Addition, we dive deep into one of the most critical—and often overlooked—elements of homebrewing: yeast health and fermentation management. We break down everything you need to know to keep your yeast happy and your … Episode 115 – Happy Yeast! Read More »

In this data-packed episode of The Hop Addition Podcast, we explore the exciting world of experimental hops, testing four new UK-developed varieties: CF310, CF321, CF373, and CF383. Each hop is trialled in two beer styles — a clean lager and … Episode 114 – Experimental Hop Testing with Charles Faram Read More »

Drinking exemplar beers from the BJCP British Bitters Categories: Ordinary, Best and Strong discussing the style guidelines assessing and scoring the beers and having a good debate over how to produce a similar brew!

We are joined by Ron Muir to discuss his unique approaches to brewing and a selection of his beers that he sent us especially for the pod! Had some audio issues on this one so I wasn’t able to do … Episode 112 – An Evening with Ron Muir Read More »

In this episode of The Hop Addition Podcast, we’re joined by Phil Sisson, founder of Simple Things Fermentations, a brewery dedicated to producing beautifully balanced, small-batch beers with character. Phil shares his brewing journey, the ethos behind Simple Things, and … Episode 111 – Simple Things Fermentations – Phil Sisson Read More »

In this episode of The Hop Addition Podcast, we sit down with Danny Ennis, the mastermind behind Small Batch Brewing Co. Danny shares his inspiring journey into microbrewing, his unique brewing philosophy, and the passion that drives his small-scale, high-quality … Episode 110 – Small Batch Brewing Co Read More »

Another episode in our home brewer to pro series with Liam from Sun Bear Brewing! Liam has recently started brewing professionally out of a garage on The Wirral! Listen in to hear a warts and all account of the challenges … Episode 109 – Liam Hughes – Sun Bear Brewing Read More »