PUBS PINTS PEOPLE PODCAST – from the Great British Beer Festival 2025

The team present the podcast live from the UK’s largest beer and cider festival. We are welcoming beer and cider fans to the NEC in Birmingham for the first time, Alison Clare and Simon report on the highlights of trade day with book launches, beer competitions and more.

GREAT BRITISH BEER FESTIVAL 2025: https://greatbritishbeerfestival.co.uk/

Interviews include:

-Ash Corbett-Collins CAMRA Chairman about supporting local pubs.

-Jonny Garett about the petition to have cask ale recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Sign it here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/716686

-Laura Hadland about her new book “Beer Festivals, a Great British Tradition : https://shop1.camra.org.uk/product/beer-festivals-a-great-british-tradition/

-Reporting from the judging table and the live results of the Champion Beer of Britain:

https://camra.org.uk/awards/champion-beer-of-britain

-Ben Gibbs about low and no alcohol beers @sober_boozers_club on Instagram.

-And various volunteers running GBBF

This episode is dedicated to the Volunteers that make the festival possible

Pubs Pints People Team:

Authors & Hosts:

Clare Philips: Long-Serving Pubs Pints People Host Clare is a radio presenter, writer and broadcast journalist

Alison Taffs: Drinks Educator. Cider Pomellier, Founder of The London Cider Club and Landlady of The Hop Inn Hornchurch. Instagram: alison_taffs https://www.hopinnhornchurch.com/

Simon Webster: An exiled Scot, never too far from his next sublime stout/porter. Instagram: bees_bhoy

Producer & Editor:

David King: Ex College Lecturer, BBC & Hospital Radio. 30+ years of making the web accessible for all. Life CAMRA Member and Beer Judge Chair. Hosts the weekly show ‘Taste Wolverhampton’ on Wolverhampton’s community radio station 101.8 WCR FM. https://www.wcrfm.com/

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/pubspintspeople.

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YEAST AND WATER

Simon interviews author Mark Dredge and visits Brouwerji Huyghe in Belgium to talk to Brewer Joris Dheedene.

Alison interviews brewers Miles Jenner from Harvery’s in Lewis, Andy Leman from Timothy Taylor and Max Descloux from Five Points about the yeast and water for their beers.

Our Guests:

-Joris Dheedene, Head Brewer at Brouwerji Huyghe https://www.brouwerijhuyghe.be/en

-Mark Dredge, Beer Writer https://www.markdredge.com/

-Max Descloux, Head Brewer at Five Points Brewery https://fivepointsbrewing.co.uk/

-Miles Jenner, Head Brewer and Joint MD at Harvey’s Brewery https://www.harveys.org.uk/

-Andy Leman, Head Brewer at Timothy Taylor Brewery https://www.timothytaylor.co.uk/taste-taylors#

Other Links:

GREAT BRITISH BEER FESTIVAL 2025: https://greatbritishbeerfestival.co.uk/

CAMRA Pub of the Year: https://camra.org.uk/awards/pub-of-the-year?selected_year=2024

CAMRA Club of the Year: https://camra.org.uk/awards/club-of-the-year?selected_year=2024

Beer Breaks in Britain Book, by Kate Simon & Phil Mellows

https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/beer-breaks-in-britain-9781844867004/

British Cider Championships at The Bath and West Show: https://britishciderchampionships.com/

Susanna Forbes Award for Outstanding Contribution to Cider Culture awarded by Three Counties Cider and Perry Association: https://tccpa.co.uk/about-us/

Pubs Pints People Team:

Authors & Hosts:

Clare Philips: Long-Serving Pubs Pints People Host Clare is a radio presenter, writer and broadcast journalist

Alison Taffs: Drinks Educator. Cider Pomellier, Founder of The London Cider Club and Landlady of The Hop Inn Hornchurch. Instagram: alison_taffs https://www.hopinnhornchurch.com/

Simon Webster: An exiled Scot, never too far from his next sublime stout/porter. Instagram: bees_bhoy

Producer & Editor:

David King: Ex College Lecturer, BBC & Hospital Radio. 30+ years of making the web accessible for all. Life CAMRA Member and Beer Judge Chair. Hosts the weekly show ‘Taste Wolverhampton’ on Wolverhampton’s community radio station 101.8 WCR FM. https://www.wcrfm.com/

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/pubspintspeople.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode the team explore the second of the four essential beer ingredients: malt.

Alison chats to our resident chef Christian Gott about the flavours of malt. Clare visits Crisp Maltings and with Dr Dave Griggs, follows the malting process. Simon gets the low down on all things malt beer and running with writer Mark Dredge. Alison visits Five Points Brewery and sees how malt is used during mashing in with Max Descloux the Head Brewer. She also sees Harvey’s historical set up with Miles Jenner, their Head Brewer.

Writer Presenters: Alison Taffs, Clare Phillips and Simon Webster

Our Guests:

Chef Christian Gott (@the_caskaway)

Dr Dave Griggs, Crisp Malt’s Technical Director

Mark Dredge, Beer Writer

Max Descloux, Head Brewer at Five Points Brewery

Miles Jenner, Head Brewer and Joint MD at Harvey’s Brewery

Show Links:

Champion Beer of Britain

Maris Otter Videos

Andy Parker Stout Article

Mighty Oak Gin

Harvey’s Malt Spirit

Pubs Pints and People Team:

Clare Philips: Long-Serving Pubs Pints People Host Clare is a radio presenter, writer and broadcast journalist

Alison Taffs: Drinks Educator. Cider Pomellier, Founder of The London Cider Club and Landlady of The Hop Inn Hornchurch (@alison_taffs)

Simon Webster: An exiled Scot, never too far from his next sublime stout/porter. (@bees_bhoy)

Producer & Editor in Chief:

David King: Ex College Lecturer, BBC & Hospital Radio. 30+ years of making the web accessible for all. Life CAMRA Member and Beer Judge Chair. Hosts the weekly show ‘Taste Wolverhampton’ on Wolverhampton’s community radio station 101.8 WCR FM. https://www.wcrfm.com/

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/pubspintspeople.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode the team explore one of the essential beer ingredients; Hops. Simon interviews Will Rogers, from Charles Faram from Malvern about growing hops. He also visits Hogs Back Brewery in Tongham and speaks to Matthew King the Hop Garden Manager and Stephen Holland the Lead Brewer. Alison visits the family brewer Harvey’s at their historic brewery in Lewes and gets up close to English whole hops with Head Brewer Miles Jenner. She also chats to Head Brewer Andy Leman from Timothy Taylor about their approach to hops.

Our Guests:

• Miles Jenner, Head Brewer and Joint MD at HARVEY’S BREWERY
• Will Rogers, Group Technical Director at CHARLES FARAM & CO
• Matthew King (Hop Garden Manager) and Stephen Holland (Lead Brewer) from HOGS BACK BREWERY  
• Andrew Leman, Head Brewer TIMOTHY TAYLOR

MORE INFO ABOUT THIS EPISODE’S NEWS:

• Carlsberg Marston’s Handpump Highjack
• CAMRA’s latest groundbreaking book Perry: A Drinker’s Guide. Lovingly written by Adam Wells, the book helps drinkers navigate the styles, flavours, varieties, countries, regions and producers behind this ancient and fascinating drink
• Dr Christina Wade’s book The Devil’s in the Draught Lines

Pubs Pints People Team:

Authors & Hosts:

• Clare Philips: Long-Serving Pubs Pints People Host Clare is a radio presenter, writer and broadcast journalist
• Alison Taffs: Drinks Educator. Cider Pomellier, Founder of The London Cider Club and Landlady of The Hop Inn Hornchurch - Instagram: @alison_taffs
• Simon Webster: An exiled Scot, never too far from his next sublime stout/porter. Instagram: bees_bhoy

Producer & Editor in Chief:

• David King: Ex College Lecturer, BBC & Hospital Radio. 30+ years of making the web accessible for all. Life CAMRA Member and Beer Judge Chair. Hosts the weekly show ‘Taste Wolverhampton’ on Wolverhampton’s community radio station 101.8 WCR FM. Instagram @tastewolves

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/pubspintspeople.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode the team explore and sample the world of low/no alcohol beer and cider. Simon interviews the Founder of Dry Drinker and tastes some no/low beers with Alison. Alison interviews brewer Jordan from Mash Gang, talks to cider maker Tom Tibbits and cider historian Elizabeth Pimblett about Ciderkin, and tastes some low/no cider with Sam Wright from the London Cider Circle. Clare speaks to Sonja from Jump Ship Brewing, Christine Cryne about The Champion Beer of Britain and visits The Freston Boot in Ipswich.

Guests:

Jordan: MASH GANG

Sonja Mitchell: JUMP SHIP BREWING

Stuart Elkington: DRY DRINKER

Elizabeth Pimblett: MUSEUM OF CIDER

Tom Tibbits: ARTISTRAW CIDER

Sam Wright: LONDON CIDER CIRCLE

LONDON CIDER AND PERRY CLUB

Other Contributions:

Miles Jenner: Harvey’s Brewery

Christine Cryne

Lucky Saint

Freston Boot

Authors & Hosts:

Simon Webster: An exiled Scot, stout/porter lover. Instagram: bees_bhoy

Clare Philips: Radio presenter, writer and broadcast journalist

Alison Taffs: Drinks Educator, Cider Pomellier, Founder of The London Cider Club and landlady of The Hop Inn Hornchurch Instagram: alison_taffs

Producer & Editor in Chief:

David King: Ex College Lecturer, BBC & Hospital Radio. 30+ years of making the web accessible for all. Life CAMRA Member and Beer Judge Chair. Hosts the weekly show on Wolverhampton’s community radio station 101.8 WCR FM.

THE BEERS AND CIDERS TASTED:

Clear Head, Bristol Beer Factory

Old Ale and Sussex Best 0.5%, Harvey's

Tomorrow Lager, Wiper and True

Tiny Cart Pale Ale, Howling Hops

Uplift & Elevation, On Beer

High Sobriety, Hogans

Crafty Nectar 0.5%

Sassy 0%

Maiden Mill Flyer

Galipette Non-Alc

Stowford Press Low Alcohol Westons

Sheppy’s Low Alcohol

Thatcher’s Zero

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/pubspintspeople.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bumper episode to celebrate the start of season seven, the team explore and celebrate the wonder of marvellous mild.

Alison makes a visit to the Black Country with her expert local guide (our Editor in Chief David) in search of the delicious malty brew. She meets Clare and Alice Batham and the team at the Victorian Sarah Hughes Brewery at The Beacon Hotel Dudley and tastes some brews in local pubs. Simon chats to Professor Carl Chin about Mild and the Black Country beer culture

Clare speaks with Christine Cryne about the Champion Beer of Britain competition, and catches up with Dean Barrett, Commercial Director from the CAMRA National Executive.

Our Guests:

-Alice Batham Brewer, and Clare Batham Operations Manager: Bathams Brewery

The Vine Inn

-Ricky Follos, Brewer at The Sarah Hughes Brewery, and General Manager Alex Marchant from The Beacon Hotel, Sedgley

-Christine Cryne: Champion Beer Of Britain Team. Beer Tutor and writer

Professor Carl Chin:

Carl is a freelance writer, speaker and teacher. His latest book, Peaky Blinders: The Real Story: The true history of Birmingham’s most notorious gangs, is a Sunday Times No. 1 bestseller.

Dean Barrett: CAMRA Commercial Director

Pubs Pints People Team:

Authors & Hosts:

Simon Webster: An exiled Scot, never too far from his next sublime stout/porter. Instagram: bees_bhoy

Clare Philips: Long-Serving Pubs Pints People Host Clare is a radio presenter, writer and broadcast journalist

Alison Taffs: Drinks Educator with more than 25 years’ experience in hospitality. Cider Pomellier, Founder of The London Cider Club and Landlady of The Hop Inn Hornchurch Instagram: alison_taffs

Producer & Editor in Chief:

David King: Ex College Lecturer, BBC & Hospital Radio. 30+ years of making the web accessible for all. Life CAMRA Member and Beer Judge Chair. Hosts the weekly show ‘Taste Wolverhampton’ on Wolverhampton’s community radio station 101.8 WCR FM.

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/pubspintspeople.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following on from last week’s episode recorded live at GBBF, we have secured interviews with some of the UK’s best drinks writers about their latest projects.

Providing insights about the future of cask ale and the joy of perry, regular host Alison Taffs speaks to Pete Brown about the Drink Cask Fresh Campaign, Des de Moor about his brand new book “Cask” and Adam Wells about his forthcoming book about Perry; that rare and exciting drink.

Pete Brown and the Drink Cask Fresh Campaign:

· https://www.drinkcaskfresh.co.uk/

· https://www.petebrown.net/ More information about Pete Brown and his work

Sign up here for more information about Adam Wells’ CAMRA Perry book:

· https://camra.org.uk/perry-sign-up/

· https://cider-review.com/ Adam Wells Cider Review website

Des de Moor’s new book, Cask:

· https://camra.org.uk/publications/cask-the-real-story-of-britains-unique-beer-culture/

· https://desdemoor.co.uk/ More information about Des de Moor

Pubs Pints People Presenters:

Clare Phillips: long-serving Pubs Pints People host, freelance writer and presenter

Alison Taffs: Drinks Educator and Owner of The Hop Inn Hornchurch

Simon Webster: Exiled Scot, never far from his next Stout or Porter

Chief Editor:

David King

Join CAMRA if you're not already a member for just £30.50 a year at https://join.camra.org.uk/ - gain access to great audio and visual content on our Learn & Discover platform.

Don't forget to support the show at https://supporter.acast.com/pubs-pints-people

If you'd like to get involved, simply contact podcast@camra.org.uk or follow us on Twitter @PubsPintsPeople or on our Facebook account @PubsPintsPeople

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/pubspintspeople.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this podcast, we wanted to give you a feeling for this year’s Great British Beer Festival in Olympia, and the huge range of food, drink and learning on offer. It’s a great day out and of course there are festivals up and down the country organised by CAMRA branches, breweries and pubs that are also worth visiting throughout the year.

There were several books launched at the GBBF and we spoke with Des de Moor about his new book “Cask” and Adam Wells about his new Perry book.

Rather than edit those interviews to make them fit this festival podcast, we’re going to issue a Part 2 next week! There we’ll hear those interviews in full, alongside Pete Brown telling us about the “Drink Cask Fresh” campaign he’s been closely involved with.

The Great British Beer Festival: https://gbbf.org.uk/

Join CAMRA if you're not already a member for just £30.50 a year at https://join.camra.org.uk/ - gain access to great audio and visual content on our Learn & Discover platform.

Don't forget to support the show at https://supporter.acast.com/pubs-pints-people

If you'd like to get involved, simply contact podcast@camra.org.uk or follow us on Twitter @PubsPintsPeople or on our Facebook account @PubsPintsPeople

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/pubspintspeople.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.