The Hop Addition

In this episode of The Hop Addition Podcast, we’re exploring BJCP Category 12: Pale Commonwealth Beers — a trio of styles that share British roots but have evolved across the globe.We’re pouring and reviewing classic examples of:🍺 British Golden Ale (Exmoor Gold)🍺 Australian Sparkling Ale (Coopers Sparkling Ale)🍺 English IPA (Hook Norton Flagship)Along the way, we break down the history, flavour profiles, and style guidelines behind each beer — from the crisp, refreshing pintability of Golden Ales, to the unique, yeast-driven character of Australian Sparkling Ale, and the balanced, mineral-forward bitterness of a traditional English IPA.Expect plenty of discussion on:🌍 How these styles evolved across the Commonwealth⚖️ Key differences in hops, yeast, and water profiles🧪 What judges look for in each category🏠 Practical brewing tips to help you nail these styles at homeWhether you’re brewing for competition or just looking to better understand these classic styles, this episode is packed with insight to help you hit the mark.Huge thanks to our partner The Malt Miller, your go-to for all things homebrew — don’t forget to check out the Hop Addition recipe section while you’re there.

Welcome back to The Hop Addition Podcast — and this one gets seriously funky.We’re joined by Dan Wye, Head Brewer at Origin Brewing Project by Fyne Ales, to explore the wild world of mixed fermentation. This isn’t a beginner’s guide — we’re skipping straight past the basics and diving deep into the science, technique, and controlled chaos behind some of the most complex beers out there.Along the way, we’re sampling a stunning lineup including Crotag (Chardonnay-inspired chimera), Cu, Nadar Bramble, Lonag (Glen Fyne Foraged Saison), and more — breaking down how these beers are designed, fermented, and matured.Expect a proper deep dive into:🦠 Mixed fermentation philosophy & house cultures🌾 Wort design, turbid mashing & aged hop strategies⚗️ Managing THP, acidity & micro-oxygenation🪵 Barrel ageing, oak alternatives & solera systems🍓 Blending, fruiting & safe bottle conditioning🧪 Translating pro techniques to the homebrew scaleDan shares invaluable insights on how to balance funk, acidity, and complexity — without ending up with a glass of vinegar — plus the biggest mistakes homebrewers make when stepping into mixed ferm territory.Huge thanks to our partner The Malt Miller for supporting the show — your go-to for all things homebrew, including our dedicated Hop Addition recipe section.💬 Got experience with mixed fermentation or thinking of giving it a go? Let us know on socials and share what you’re drinking along with us.

In this episode of The Hop Addition Podcast, we’re diving deep into the art and science of hop blending — how to choose, combine, and layer hops to achieve specific flavour outcomes in your beer.From timeless classics to modern “cheat code” hazy IPA combos, we explore what makes certain pairings just work. Expect discussion on proven duos like Cascade + Centennial, tropical heavy-hitters like Citra + Mosaic + Galaxy, and creative blends such as Nelson Sauvin + Motueka for that unmistakable NZ twist.We’ll also cover:🍍 How to build tropical intensity without overpowering your base📊 Using supplier flavour charts and survivable compound data to blend smarter🔬 Biotransformation and yeast-hop synergy📐 Layering hops across boil, whirlpool, and dry hop stages🧪 When to use pre-made commercial blends (and what they teach us)Plus, we touch on exciting newer varieties hitting the market — including Krush (HBC 586), Nectaron, Superdelic, Luminosa, and more — and how they might fit into your next recipe.As always, huge thanks to our partner sponsor The Malt Miller, where you’ll find our dedicated Hop Addition recipe section — and right now, hop pellets are at reduced prices following their holiday sale.Whether you’re chasing balance, building a signature house profile, or just experimenting with new-school aroma bombs, this episode is all about blending with purpose.💬 Got a favourite hop combo? Share it with us on socials and tell us what’s in your glass tonight.

Welcome to the Hop Addition Podcast Xmas Special! In Episode 130 we’re getting well and truly into the festive spirit — cracking open some big beers, sharing plenty of laughs, and reflecting on an incredible year of brewing, podcasts, and community. Stick around too… because it’s the season of giving 👀🎁A huge thank you to our partner sponsor The Malt Miller, the UK’s premier supplier of all things homebrew. Be sure to check out the Hop Addition recipe section on their website, plus festive deals including 20% off Crisp malts, savings on pellet hops, and discounts on their indie beer fridge — perfect for stocking up over the holidays.We recap 2025 with:🏆 Best commercial beer & homebrew🌱 Favourite new hop, brewery, and style🧠 Key lessons learned🍻 Styles we’re excited to brew next year🔮 Big brewing plans for 2026We also look back on a packed year of podcasts — from Q&As and drink-alongs to deep dives on yeast, lagers, hops, home dispense, and some unforgettable guests including Richard Baggaley, Guy Perry (Hopsteiner), Bullhouse, Maverick Brewing, and many more. A total of 23 episodes recorded in 2025 — what a year!Thanks to everyone who’s supported the show this year — listeners, guests, Patreons, and after-party legends. Pour yourself something special and enjoy the episode.Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and cheers from the Hop Addition crew! 🍻🎅

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! 🍻

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

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! 🍻

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 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

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 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 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 »