A festive shout-out to everyone who joined our end-of-year Christmas meet-up and party at Wiper and True’s taproom on 17th December 2025. We had a great turnout, and five fantastic Christmas desert inspired beers brewed for our 27th overall, and 6th Christmas challenge!
Beer 1 – Yule Log
First up, was Remy and Luiz with their Yule Log inspired Last Minute Shopping, 5.0% Milk Stout, rich with Cacao Nibs, Vanilla and coffee.
Rich, chocolatey with a generous sweetness, this delicious stout definitely met the brief perfectly, and was the perfect way to begin the evening
Beer 2 – Christmas Pudding
Next up, we had Paul and Matt’s I’m Dreaming of a Weisse Gristmas. Inspired by the spices in a Christmas pudding and the creamy smoothness of the custard, it obviously had to be a Weissbier.
Bang on the magic 5.6%, this German style ale was packaged full of Christmas treats, including honey, apricots, sultanas, lemon and orange peel, and just a touch of vanilla. Could you tell? Maybe not, but isn’t Christmas all about excess and wastage?
Combined with the subtle banana yeasty notes, this was a beer we were both proud of.
Beer 3 – Trifle
For our third beer, we had Tom and Euan with a shift of style and Not a Trifling Matter, a 6% raspberry sour, inspired by the almond sprinkles, vanilla custard, fruit jelly and biscuit sponge base.
The beer featured a complex malt base, with raspberry puree, almond essence and vanilla extract, complimented with the always popular combination of Citra, Nelson, and Simcoe hops.
Euan made it in spirit at least
Euan couldn’t make it on the day but was drinking along over video as we all enjoyed their perfectly balanced sour
Beer 4 – Stollen
Number four, was Rowan, Rob, and Almeric’s Stollenweizen, a punchy 6.8% Dunkler Weizenbock and our second German beer of the night.
Rich, dark and strong this beer did not disappoint and provided the fruity-raisin backbone that is so familiar to anyone who is a fan of the classic German treat, and was very well recieved.
Beer 5 – Mince Pies
Finally, our fifth and final Christmas beer was Pete and Ben’s and didn’t pull any punches.
Mince Pie-A-Geddon was a beasty 8.5% Belgian Dark Strong, packed full of rich Christmas delights that really brought out memories of a dessert that inspired the beer.
This was a beer that will only get better with age. If the bottles make it into the new year that is…
Here’s to 2026!
As always a huge thanks to all our brewers who made it out on a cold Wednesday night to share their beers, and celebrate a fantastic year together. If you fancy joining us in January, or joining the chat, find us on Discord.
For our October meetup we were back at Wiper and True’s beautiful taproom. This occasion we had a challenge showcase and our Christmas draw.
The Challenge
As is a commonly regarded fact, if a beer’s ABV is unknown its probably 5.6%, and when you think about it, the best beers in the world are 5.6%. Augustiner Edelstoff, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale to name two.
Challenge 26 couldn’t have been more simple, brew a beer that is 5.6%.
The Showcase
All 5.6% are equal, but some are more equal than others, as always this sort of challenge brings out the creativity of our fantastic brewers, each putting together
For the beer reveal details were sparse, allowing the brewers a chance to truly showcase their beer. The usual approach is to sample the beers in a rough ABV order, but that just wouldn’t cut-it, so EBC it was.
Brewer
Name
Style
Will
Mosaic Everything
American Pale Ale
Ben
Pending
West Coast IPA
Luiz
50 Cent
Hoppy Lager
Almeric
My First American Beer
American IPA
Tom
I’ve got 5.6 Problems
Jaipur Clone
Matt
Smoky Old Ken
Smoked Amber
Matt (again)
Red(ish) Ale
Red Ale
Pete
Saison Sombre
Dark Saison
Euan
Euan’s American Porter
American Porter
Paul
Mountaineer Porter
American Porter
Rowan
2X + 1
Imperial Stout
A wide variety of fantastically well-made brews, and I know for sure a few sore heads the following morning. Maybe a lot of 5.6% beer isn’t as sessionable as first thought, and maybe some were exactly 5.6%(?)
After a few trips to the bar, it was time to draw the pairings for the Christmas challenge
Christmas Challenge Draw
As has been tradition from the very beginnings of the club the Christmas challenge pairs up brewers and assigns them an inspiration based on a category. This year we have Christmas desserts.
Brewers
Dessert
Paul & Matt
Christmas Pudding
Remy & Luiz
Yule Log
Tom & Euan
Trifle
Ben & Pete
Mince Pies
Rowan, Almeric & Rob
Stollen
Anything that inspires the brewers can be put towards the beer. Going to be expecting a good number of boozy dark beers back at Wiper and True for our Christmas meetup on the 17th December. All welcome!
Somewhere new for our September meet, Basement Beer down in Stokes Croft. Starting up in 2019 in the basement of the Robin Hood pub, they now have a beautiful little taproom with a great selection on the bar.
Big thanks to Ben and the team for hosting the club, I encourage you to follow Basement on Instagram, and better still pop in ASAP, you won’t be disappointed
After working our way down the taplist, and after the last straggler arrived, it was time to sample each other’s brews. As is common for the club now, we had a wide range of styles to try:
Brewer
Beer
ABV
Luiz & Stan
Pilsner
3.7%
Will
Piquet
3.7%
Ian
Cali Common
4.2%
Rob
Hazy Pale
4.5%
Rowan
NZ Pils
5%
Pete
Raspberry Lemon Saison
4.5%
Paul
Festbier
6.3%
Will & Luiz
Hazy Brut IPA
6.5%
Rowan
American Amber
6.6%
A new venue for some, but everyone was in agreement we will be back!
For our first ever Summer Pairs Challenge, we paired up brewers and randomly assigned a ‘summer drink’. Their job was to collaborate and brew something inspired by their assigned cocktail.
Maybe an ingredient in the cocktail, maybe a flavour profile or maybe brew a beer that tastes like the inspiration, it didn’t matter, they just needed to work together and explain their logic.
Cocktail
Brewers
Pimm’s
Euan & Rowan
Pina Colada
Luiz & Will
Margarita
Rob & Tom
Gin and Tonic
Ian & Sam
Aperol Spritz
Pete, Paul & Matt
The Showcase
The group met at our regular home in Wiper and True’s beautiful taproom in Old Market, Bristol.
For the beer reveal, as it should be, each brewing pair kept the details of the beer to themselves until the showcase.
To start us off, we had to raise a glass to a fallen comrade. Rowan & Euan’s Pimm’s brew took an unwanted dose of wild yeast and made it into the drain before a glass. A tragic loss as a 7% sour, with notes of strawberry, raspberry, caramel, spices and zest was very promising.
First up, at at 4.2% was Sam and Ian with Laverstoke, an excellent kettle soured hazy pale ale-based on a gin cocktail with Citra and Motueka hopped, with elderflower, lime zest, juniper and ginger. Incredibly well made and very drinkable.
Second, with the Margarita, Rob and Tom were inspired by the famous Margarita of Napoli and presented their 4.5% Italian Pils, with Mittlefruh and Lórien hops. This crystal clear lager was fresh, light and very refreshing.
Next up at 6.4%, was Paul, Pete and Matt with Spritz and Giggles, a classic westie inspired by Aperol Spritz featuring Chinook and Centennial hops and surrounded by orangey hops including Amarillo, Ahtanum and Ekuanot. Loaded up with fresh rhubarb and both orange peel and juice. Served with a slice of fresh orange just to finish off the experience.
Finally, Luiz and Will’s 6.5% Pina Colada inspired NEIPA with stacks of Sabro, Galaxy and pineapple juice, really bringing out the notes you would come to expect from the cocktail. Fantasic beer!
The night was finished up with several trips to the bar and the opening of remaining brews, including several lagers, a fantastic American Wheat-Cold IPA (WhIPA?) by Remy, and the announcement of the latest challenge.
Another fantastic night, with a great turn out, and as always big thanks to Wiper and True for hosting us.
2024 was a busy year for the club, each month we do our best to meet up regularly. Often, either announcing a challenge or showcasing the beer from the previous challenge. Each challenge intended to push a brewer out of their comfort zone and try something they wouldn’t usually.
January
In an attempt to be all grown up, we kicked off our first ever club AGM at Wiper and True’s Barrel Store to give the members a chance to shape the direction of the club. Starting with the election of a new committee following the decision of Matt to step aside in favour of getting married.
Chairperson: Paul
Vice-Chairperson: Rob
Treasurer: Ian
Chief Outreach Officer: Euan
Amongst decisions made was the desire to host a club run BJCP competition, something small. Probably the last we will hear of that…
February
February is a big month with the National Homebrew Competition being hosted in Bristol, this year at Left Handed Giant.
Numerous members of the club were down as volunteers and judges, helping the event run really smoothly. And of course, as we have come to expect some very familiar names made it to the awards tables:
Rowan 1st place for his Czech Premium Pale Lager “Czech Yourself”
Paul 2nd place for his German Pils “Das Bier”
Ian, HM for his California Common “Tahoe Sundown”
Rob HM for his Czech Dark Lager “Appetite For Decoction”
With Sarah announcing that this will be the last year she will be running the competition, Rob stepped forward to take on the running of the competition from 2025, along with help from other willing members from HBC and the ‘other’ club in Bristol. Should be a fun challenge.
March
Challenge #20 Announcement
In March, we were fortunate enough to be offered a talk but the Global Brand Ambassador of Budvar UK, Radim. Hosted at the Llandoger Trow, on an unexpectedly busy evening, Radim talked us through how to brew and serve the perfect Czech beer.
Following on from Radim’s presentation we announced our first challenge of 2024 and #20 overall, to brew a Czech inspired lager, giving our brewers a choice to brew to exacting Czech standards with all Czech ingredients, try out some new hops, or try something completely different as long as they could explain the Czech connection. With a little over two months until the showcase, this offered the brewer plenty of time to perfect and age their brews.
April
April was a quiet month, and I can’t remember if we got up to much.
May
Back on it in May, as it was also the club’s 5th birthday it was only fitting we had a packed month!
Challenge #21 Announcement
Firstly, meeting up at Wiper & True’s Taproom we met up to announce challenge #21 which, in collaboration with Wiper & True was to brew a clone of their flagship beer Kaleidoscope. Given details on just some of the grain bill, the hops but not the ratios and the option to use some of Wiper’s house yeast we were sent away, to return in at the end of June with our versions of their brew.
Challenge #20 Showcase
Towards the end of the month was our challenge #20 showcase where everyone’s beers were put to the test and blind judged by Radim and our very own Rob with the following five each receiving Budvar merch, beer and for first place a Lukr tap! A very generous prize haul indeed from Radim.
Remy with “Hot Mess”
Pete with “TBC”
Rowan with “Saaz Mate”
Rob with “You Wouldn’’’t Dry Hop a Polotmave Pivo”
Paul with “Pěkne Pivo”
Once again, the standard of beers was excellent, highlighting what a great group of brewers we are lucky to have.
June
Challenge #21 Showcase
June was our showcase of challenge #21 our Kaleidoscope clones. A great showing back at Wiper & True’s Taproom, where we got to taste each other’s hazy pale version of Kaleidoscope against a few jugs of the real thing. Some variation, some incredibly close, but what we can agree on is the house yeast definitely gives the beer its distinctive character.
July
Challenge #22 Announcement
For July’s meetup we left the warmth and comfort of Bristol and travelled over to Bath to see how the other half live. Hosted at the Royal Oak, Euan’s local we got to try the great selection of beers behind the bar, share a few of our own and meet up with brewers from the Bath club also frequented by Euan, Pete and Sam.
This was also a chance to announce challenge #22. A popular one, in which the brewers were challenged to brew a farmhouse style ale, with the showcase meeting up in September.
A really great evening, only let down by the shocking state of the trains over such a short journey.
August
Im sure we did something in August, but I have a feeling it was a quiet month.
September
Love and Beer
We were lucky enough to be invited to Love & Beer 2 at the Hackney Taproom hosted by The Craft Beer Channel and The Malt Miller. As one of eight clubs representing in the homebrew marque it was a big deal, and one we couldn’t turn down.
On the day we had a total of eight beers to offer the punters, as every homebrewer knows all too well we can’t sell them, but we were able to serve them semi-professionally through a couple of borrowed Lindrs. On tap we had:
“Phantom Costello” Hazy IPA – Brewed by Sam, this was incredibly popular people came flocking in the afternoon session for it, and it was the only keg to kick.
“Jake Bullet, Cybernautics Detective” Black IPA – Brewed by Rob and Will, people were coming back time after time for more and raving about it.
“Copenhagen Suborbital” Baltic Porter – Brewed by Matt, we were frequently told this was their favourite of the festival, no mean feat! A Baltic was also called out on the Craft Beer Channel’s podcast, and there was only one at the festival…
“Überraschung” Red Festbier – Brewed by Paul, and accidental collaboration with the Malt Miller, as their supplier sent Red X instead of Pilsner malt. Weird by worked.
“Geborgenheit” Festbier – Brewed by Paul, what the above was supposed to be!
Just to add to the party we also brought along a stash of bottles to round out the evening session including:
Belgian Dark Strong – Brewed by Rob
American Barley Wine – Brewed by Paul and Matt
Saison – Brewed by Matt and served in a 3L jeroboam! Man knows how to please a crowd.
We definitely had far too much beer with us, but better to have too much than too little right? Not so sure when your car’s suspension is grounding out! But its incredibly rewarding and flattering to be told multiple times people came to our bar “I’ve been told everything you serve is great”, and so proud I am of our club!
And to top off an otherwise great day, we were voted in as third favourite bar by the attendees. Incredible work all, we are small but mighty! Here’s hoping we are invited back next year.
Challenge #22 Showcase
The end of September marked our meetup for the Saison Showcase, this time at Wiper & True’s Barrel Store. A venue always popular with the club, who looked after us as always as many saisons of varying styles and alcohol levels were consumed.
A messy evening, but a great time had by all.
October
Challenge #23 Announcement
October kicked off with a meetup at Wiper and True’s Taproom and our special annual announcement of the Christmas challenge pairings. Challenge #23 ask our brewers to brew something inspired by their assigned Christmas movie. Read more here
Matt’s Leaving
October ended with a sad farewell to our much-loved club founder, and man that brought us all together, Matt Hazley. Matt is now off travelling the world until returning to Northern Ireland in April 2025.
We can be confident that it won’t be the last time the Bristol brewing scene sees Matt. Read more here
November
A relatively quiet month where a small group met up for a bottle share at Alpha in Bedminster.
December
Challenge #23 Showcase
Wow, end of the year already! For our Christmas challenge #23, we brought along beers inspired by the assigned Christmas movies. And as an only be expected from our brewers we ended up with quite a variety!
Movie
Brewers
Beer Name
Style
ABV
The Santa Clause
Ian & Dan
Milk & Cookies
Milk & Cookie Stout
4.5%
Jingle All The Way
Pete & Rob
Turboman
Vienna Hazy SMaSH
5.6%
Home Alone
Euan & Paul
Shot in the Plums
Plum Porter
5.6%
The Grinch
Remy & Ben
Oh the Humanity
Smoked DIPA
8.0%
Die Hard
Kendon & Will
Happy Trails
American Imperial Pilsner
8.3%
Gremlins
Matt & Sam
Mogwai/That Gremlin Beer
Hazy DIPA/Imperial Fruited Frankenweise
8.0%/8.5%
Although some bizarre styles were presented, each and every one was fantastic and highlighted the creativity of our brewers.
Here’s to a great 2024, and looking forward to whatever challenges 2025 might bring, including the National Homebrew Competition.
Last night was a great night out tinged with sadness as we send off our much-loved club founder, and man that brought us all together, Matt Hazley. Matt is moving back to Northern Ireland in a few days before travelling the world in 2025. Of course, we only know one way to do a send-off properly and that’s with beer!
Starting at the Swan with Two Necks the group quickly grew, bringing friends together who haven’t seen each other for years. After a few pints had very quickly disappeared we made our way to the club’s home at Wiper and True’s beautiful taproom, where Evs made a surprise appearance. After drinking through their extensive tap list, last orders were called, and the group separated to make their way home.
As all good nights in Bristol must go, a few stragglers made it to Elmers for just one more, which always guarantees a headache the following morning.
Matt’s passion and dedication was the driving force in setting up the club in 2019, and attracting high quality, skilled homebrewers from all over Bristol and the South West. His absence at the club meets will be felt immediately, and more importantly his beers will be missed.
I know for a fact Matt will be making regular trips back to Bristol and we now have plenty of excuses for club trips to Belfast in 2025 and beyond, so this isn’t the end, just an exciting new chapter. On behalf of everyone from the club, we wish Matt and Nic all the best for their new adventures.
Another great night out at Wiper and True’s Taproom, and our special annual announcement of the Christmas challenge pairings. Each year, brewers signup to the challenge, to get paired up and random and their challenge assigned. This year they will need to brew something inspired by their assigned Christmas movie.
Movie
Brewers
The Santa Clause
Ian & Dan
Jingle All The Way
Pete & Rob
Gremlins
Matt & Sam
The Grinch
Remy & Ben
Die Hard
Kendon & Will
Home Alone
Euan & Paul
We all have until the Christmas meetup on the 18th December back at Wiper to present our finest work.
In addition to the annual challenge admin we opened a few bottles of our own beer we had ready to go, as is tradition, going from low to high ABV:
Brewer
Name
Style
ABV
Will
Orgimmar-Weisse
Hefeweizen
5.0%
Euan
Explorer
Export India Porter
5.9%
Pete
Not Brut IPA
Brut IPA
6.0%
Paul & Matt
Electron
Saison
6.0%
Paul
Willamette Falls IPA
English IPA
6.4%
Paul & Matt
Surveyor
American Barley Wine
8.4%
As usual, the beer quality was exceptionally high, with a few sore heads this morning!
It’s that time of year already – Christmas! Well, at least time to announce the our annual challenge. This year, our theme is Christma Movies!
How does it work you ask? Well, two brewers get paired up and randomly assigned a movie title. Your job is to collaborate and brew something inspired by the film. Maybe the title? Maybe a character, or a line of dialog? Perhaps a scene that has inspired you? Or something incredibly tenuous? Doesn’t matter, work it out together (and explain the connection).
You have until our October meetup on the 24th to sign up. After that brewers will be paired up and assigned a movie title at random. Then you have until our Christmas party in December to brew and prepare to show off your best work!
For those new to the club, all challenges are free to our Patreons who, for £5 a month support the club and allow us to organise meetups, buy club merch and attend events such as Love & Beer. Everyone else is welcome and encouraged to join us for the Christams challenge but we do ask for a one off contibution of £10 to the club. Or simply, become a Patreon, using the button below.
If you’re new and want to take part but don’t have a brew kit (we all started somewhere), just make a note in your signup and we’ll pair you with an experienced brewer – pick their brains, find out more about their brewing journey and get stuck in to an amazing hobby.
