HOMEBREW COLLAB

Category: Meetups

  • May 2026 Meet-up

    May 2026 Meet-up

    For May, we were back at Unwin’s Brewery on Oxford Street. Tucked into one of the arches under the rail line, Head Brewer and Owner Tom has built a fantastic little brewery in just six months.

    This meet-up was also the showcase of challenge #29. Each brewer recieved 400g of experimental hops from Charles Faram. 200g x CF302 and 200g x CF349 to brew anything they like with.

    We knew two things about these hops, a loose description and the alpha. Anything else was for the brewer to discover.

    • CF302 – Orange Citrus – 5.0%
    • CF349 – Floral, dank, papaya – 6.34%

    With 13 beers to try, there was time for a few pints of Unwin’s before we had to make a start.

    The usual, low to high ABV didn’t fit the challenge this time around, so we took a different approach, and loosely grouped similar styles together to help compare the hops, and maybe learn which styles they fit in with.

    Group A – Golden & Pale

    Our first grouping was pales and golden ales. With one exception all brewers utilised a roughly even split of the two hop varieties.

    BrewerStyleABVPrimary Hop(s)
    BenGolden Ale4.2%CF302/CF349
    Ian PSession IPA4.5%CF302
    AlmericPale Ale4,8%CF302/CF349
    Ian FGolden Ale5.6%CF302/CF349

    Group B – Two Hops, One Recipe

    Next up, we had a really interesting comparison from Will and Rob who switched hops so they both had 400g of one hop at their disposal.

    BrewerStyleABVPrimary Hop
    WillIPA6.0%CF349
    RobIPA5.6%CF302

    Group C – Hoppy Lagers

    Moving on to lagers, and lager adjustant beers. These were a good excuse for the brewers to brew something a little lighter that would help express the hop characteristics

    BrewerStyleABVPrimary Hop
    RemyCzech Pale Lager5.9%CF302
    MarkCold IPA6.2%CF302
    PaulCold IPA6.0%CF349
    RowanWest IPL6.6%CF302/CF349

    Group D – Darker Beers

    And finally, we finish up on the darker end of the scale. Three darker, maltier styles that really allowed the hops to sing in there

    BrewerStyleABVPrimary Hop
    PeteRed Rye IPA5.3%CF302/CF349
    TomESB5.8%CF349
    JackSchwartzbier4.9%CF302

    So, what did we learn? Well for one, I need to take better notes. As always, the quality of the beers was very high. A heavy, but fun evening.

    Join us next time, back at Basement Beer on 25th June!

    Feedback

    Thankfully, our brewers did have feedback on the hops.

    CF302

    Some of the brewers picked up an apparent sulphur aroma which did mellow out over time and give a peachy note. The flavour on this are British trad orange and floral, like an amped up first gold.

    Would definitely benefit from some conditioning.

    CF349

    Had more new world characteristics, but still restrained in intensity like an English hop. Some new world stone fruit, but still some of that hedgerow British character.

    Its thought this would suit a golden ale, American Wheat, or perhaps a hazy pale.

  • April 2026 Meet-up

    April 2026 Meet-up

    A new month, a new meet-up and we are back at a club favourite Basement Beer!

    This time joined by a very special guest, the club’s founder and former leader Matt is over from Belfast, a long time coming, but a very pleasant surprise. Straight into Basement’s delicious Westie, it was like no time had passed since we had all been together.

    Grrrr!

    After working our way through the tap list, it was time to open our bottles and share what everyone had brought along. No special theme or challenge this month, just bring whatever you want to share, show off, or just get rid off.

    BrewerBeerABV
    Best Bitter4.0%
    PaulGerman Pils4.6%
    RobHazy IPA with Dolcita (HBC1019)4.3%
    PeteHome Grown Hopped Saison6.8%
    🥇Rowan🥇
    		Mixed Ferm Saison
    UK National BOS Winner    		6.6%
    PeteSchwartzbier4.9%
    Porter5.0%
    Hmm, I didn’t make a note of all the brewers🙄 Will update as it comes to me

    A fine evening, and a great chance to catchup with Matt, and stumble up to the Hare on the Hill for the after party, where Pete insisted on sharing a bottle of Burning Sky.

    Best if we don’t remember what Jack said
    Matt and Jack after a fair few

    Another fine, messy evening had by all, taking the following Friday off was very much recommended!

    Join us next month at Unwin’s Brewery, 28th May for the showcase of challenge #29, all welcome.

  • March 2026 Meet-up

    March 2026 Meet-up

    Wiper and True has long been the club’s regular meeting spot, but its been a while since we made it to the Barrel Store in St Werburgh’s.

    Recently refurbished and feeling warm and inviting even on a cold March evening, it was the perfect location for the club regulars and some new faces, a big welcome to Chris, Mark, Ian and Nigel. Giving us a huge turn out to rival the Christmas meet-ups.

    With 13(!) beers to get through we had to attack them in the only logical way, by ABV.

    BrewerBeerABV
    PetePetite Saison2.6%
    LuizStout4.0%
    TomEnglish Pale4.6%
    RobCzech Amber Lager4.7%
    WillGolden Ale5.0%
    EvsHopfenweisse5.2%
    IanWheat Beer5.3%
    PaulAmerican Pale Ale5.4%
    NigelWheat Beer6.0%
    ChrisSaison6.6%
    LuizStout7.0%
    ChrisIce Bock9.4%
    PeteTriple10.5%

    Following the beers, it was time to hand out the hops for the latest challenge, #29 already. This time around each brewer gets 400g of experimental hops from Charles Faram. 200g x CF302 and 200g x CF349 to brew anything they like with.

    With 15 entrants, the meet at the end of May is likely to be a messy but fun one.

  • Collab 28 – How dark is your basement?

    Collab 28 – How dark is your basement?

    For the first challenge of the year we were at basement to show off the dark beers the entrants had brewed, with the showcase being judged by Ben the Head Brewer and Owner of Basement Beer.

    The Challenge

    Entrants were tasked with brewing a dark beer of any style, with an emphasis on it being commercially viable to brew and sell. Ben had agreed to judge the beers, with the winner getting a brewday at Basement and their beer being sold by Basement. Ben had also offered to time it with a canning run, so the beer would also make it into cans and potentially out to trade if there was enough available.

    The Showcase

    Its safe to say that our brewers certainly have a taste for dark beers, with an excellent range of brews on show. Naturally the club favourite style of Black IPA featured prominently amongst a strong range of beer styles. We had everything from Stouts to a Weizenbock.

    Here’s the full list of Beers and their Brewers.

    BrewerNameStyle
    Luiz & StanSputnikStout
    PaulHop TelescopeSchwarzbier
    RobJaipur NoirBlack IPA
    IanRaiders of the Lost DarkCzech Dark Lager
    Luiz & StanUrsa MajorBlack IPA
    IanThe Dirty SecretPremium London Porter
    PeteBlack Basement IPABlack IPA
    MattForever BatmanBlack IPA
    WillUther The Weiss BringerWeizenbock
    TomBlack as your HatImperial Stout
    Luiz & StanBlack HoleStout

    Ben took extensive notes on the beers as the individual brewers presented them, along with an explanation of the origins of the beer and the recipe. He’s going to take some time to deliberate and choose a winner, so watch this space for details of the winner and their brewday!

  • Christmas 2025 Meet-up

    Christmas 2025 Meet-up

    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?

    img_0523

    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.

  • November 2025 Meet-up

    November 2025 Meet-up

    We were back at Basement for our penultimate meet before the end of the year.

    A small turn out – classic November – but still great to see everyone, and as always, great hospitality from Ben and the team.

    And excitingly, a new challenge, this time set by Ben. Brew a dark beer, any style you like, just less than 7%, and think of commercial viability.

    Our brewers have until we meet back up at Basement at the end of February to craft their best dark beer.

    Fancy joining in? Sign up on Eventbrite as always, our Patrons can always sign up for free, take a look at supporting us here

  • Collab 26 – 5.6 Pack

    Collab 26 – 5.6 Pack

    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.

    BrewerNameStyle
    WillMosaic EverythingAmerican Pale Ale
    BenPendingWest Coast IPA
    Luiz50 CentHoppy Lager
    AlmericMy First American BeerAmerican IPA
    TomI’ve got 5.6 ProblemsJaipur Clone
    MattSmoky Old KenSmoked Amber
    Matt (again)Red(ish) AleRed Ale
    PeteSaison SombreDark Saison
    EuanEuan’s American PorterAmerican Porter
    PaulMountaineer PorterAmerican Porter
    Rowan2X + 1Imperial 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.

    BrewersDessert
    Paul & MattChristmas Pudding
    Remy & LuizYule Log
    Tom & EuanTrifle
    Ben & PeteMince Pies
    Rowan, Almeric & RobStollen

    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!

  • September 2025 Meetup

    September 2025 Meetup

    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:

    BrewerBeerABV
    Luiz & StanPilsner3.7%
    WillPiquet3.7%
    IanCali Common4.2%
    RobHazy Pale4.5%
    RowanNZ Pils5%
    PeteRaspberry Lemon Saison4.5%
    PaulFestbier6.3%
    Will & LuizHazy Brut IPA6.5%
    RowanAmerican Amber6.6%

    A new venue for some, but everyone was in agreement we will be back!

  • Collab 25 – Ale Fresco

    Collab 25 – Ale Fresco

    The Challenge

    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.

    CocktailBrewers
    Pimm’sEuan & Rowan
    Pina ColadaLuiz & Will
    MargaritaRob & Tom
    Gin and TonicIan & Sam
    Aperol SpritzPete, 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.

  • Matt’s Leaving Do

    Matt’s Leaving Do

    Bristol’s Loss is Belfast’s Gain

    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.