The Hop Addition

Episode 137 - Czech Beer with Radim from Budvar

In this episode of The Hop Addition Podcast, we’re heading to the heart of Czech brewing tradition with a very special guest — Radim from Budvar. Together, we explore what makes Czech lager some of the most revered beer in the world, while tasting through classic Budvar examples and breaking down how to recreate these iconic styles at home. Expect a proper deep dive into: 🍺 The magic of decoction mashing — what it really does to flavour 💧 The role of ultra-soft Czech water in balancing bitterness 🌿 Saaz hops and their signature spicy, herbal character 🌑 The underrated beauty of dark Czech lagers (Tmavý Ležák) 🧪 Traditional techniques like open fermentation & krausen skimming We also tackle the big questions — does decoction really make a difference? And how do Czech brewers achieve such incredible depth and drinkability in every pint? 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. 💬 Brewing a Czech lager or drinking along with us? Share your thoughts on socials — we’d love to hear how you get on.

Episode 136 - BJCP Drink Along - Commonwealth Beers

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 home Whether 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.

Episode 135 - Smoked Beers with Rob from The Malt Miller

In this episode of The Hop Addition Podcast, we’re turning up the heat and diving headfirst into the bold, complex world of smoked beers. Joined by Rob from The Malt Miller, we explore how to harness smoke as an ingredient — without turning your brew into a liquid bonfire. We’re tasting a range of homebrewed creations, including a Rauchbier, Smoked Märzen, Smoked Lager, and the legendary Broken Dream, while breaking down recipes, techniques, and lessons learned along the way. Expect a deep dive into: 🔥 Different smoked malts — beechwood, cherry, oak, and peat 🌍 Historic styles like Rauchbier, Grodziskie, Lichtenhainer & Sahti 🧪 Managing phenols and balancing smoke intensity ⚖️ Getting your grist percentages just right (and avoiding the peat trap!) 🏠 Smoking your own malt at home — techniques, tips & pitfalls We also cover the key principles behind brewing great smoked beer — from building a solid malt backbone to keeping fermentation clean and letting time mellow those bold smoky flavours. Huge thanks to our partner The Malt Miller, your go-to for all things homebrew — especially if you’re looking to experiment with smoked malts. Don’t forget to check out the Hop Addition recipe section while you’re there. 💬 Got a favourite smoked beer or brewing tip? Let us know on socials and tell us what’s in your glass.

Episode 134 - Dan Wye - Origins Brewing Project (Fyne Ales)

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 scale Dan 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.

Episode 133 - Andy Thomason - Four Priests Brewery

In this episode of The Hop Addition Podcast, we’re joined by Andy Thomason from Four Priests Brewery for a deep dive into brewing, cask beer, and life behind the bar. We crack into a brilliant lineup of beers — including Murgy, Cross Stout (4.2%), DIVINE Hibernation (4.8%), Get Locky (5.8%), and Ginger BEER’D (4.3%) — while chatting all things recipe design, customer expectations, and what it really takes to craft great beer for cask. Expect plenty of insight (and a few strong opinions!) on: 🍺 Designing beers for real drinkers 🛢️ Cask ale techniques, finings, and conditioning ⚙️ Equipment, dispense methods & cellar practices 🍻 Hard vs soft spiles, cask breathers & pour perfection 🏡 The realities of running a pub in today’s climate Huge thanks to our partner The Malt Miller, your go-to for all things homebrew — now stocked up with fresh Kegland equipment. Don’t forget to check out the Hop Addition recipe section while you’re there! 💬 Tried any beers from Four Priests? Let us know your thoughts on socials and tell us what you’re drinking along with us.