In Episode 131 of the Hop Addition Podcast, we’re getting back to brewing basics and diving deep into base malts — the true foundation of flavour in every great beer. From Maris Otter to Pilsner, Planet to Chevallier, we explore how your choice of base malt shapes body, balance, efficiency, and character.

A huge thanks to our partner sponsor The Malt Miller, the UK’s premier supplier of all things homebrew. Don’t forget to check out their Hop Addition recipe section, and take advantage of reduced prices on hop pellets following their successful holiday sale.

🍺 Tonight we cover:
🌾 What makes a base malt “base” — enzymes, extract, and diastatic power
🧪 How barley varieties, terroir, and malting methods affect flavour
📊 How to read malt analysis sheets (HWE, colour, friability, screening)
🔥 Kilning, Maillard reactions, and flavour development
🌍 UK maltsters, sustainability, and the future of barley breeding
🎯 Pale vs Pilsner, heritage vs modern varieties, and when yield really matters

We also explore practical brewing ideas, including blind base-malt tastings and how to test different malts in your own recipes, plus a hop tester and sensory analysis segment.

👉 Next episode plans are in the works — keep an eye on our socials for updates.
📲 Share your brews, tasting notes, and malt experiments with us online, and join us in the after party.

Cheers from the Hop Addition crew! 🍻

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 2026

We 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! 🍻🎅

In this episode of the Hop Addition Podcast we’re joined by one of the UK homebrewing scene’s rising stars — Richard Baggaley of Wheatlow Brewery. Known for his wildly inventive brewing setup and fast-growing YouTube channel, Rich shares his homebrewing journey, the origins of his unique set up, and plenty of entertaining stories along the way. Check him out on YouTube at Wheatlow Brewery for some of the most creative homebrew content out there.

A big thanks to our partner sponsor The Malt Miller, the UK’s premier supplier for all things homebrew. Don’t forget to explore the Hop Addition recipe section on their site, and check out current discounts across BIAB and 3-pot systems, BrewZilla, Grainfather, the Apollo Titan, 10% off Muntons malts — plus the Bucket Blaster at just £49.95

Tonight Rich walks us through the beers he kindly supplied — Sweet Release, Frothson, Blind Pig, and On the Barke Side — with bonus pours of Lederhosen and Spruce Juice.

We dive into:
🍺 Richard’s YouTube journey and where it’s heading
🏗️ The evolution of his brewing setup, including his Burton Union system — what it is, how it works, and why it matters
🍻 The art of cask beer, top tips for traditional British styles, and the eternal debate: sparkler or no sparkler?
🌾 Favourite styles, ingredients, and the five beers he’d keep on tap forever
🎧 What he loves most about the Hop Addition community

👉 We’ll be taking a short break — the next episode lands Friday 12th December.
Join us for a pint in the after party and share your latest brews on socials. Cheers! 🍻