Hop, Clip, & Pump

For anyone passionate about home brewing, there’s now even more reason to get the kettle on. Brew It Yourself has introduced a new customer loyalty scheme , rewarding brewers for doing what they already love, making great beer. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your latest recipe, this scheme adds a welcome incentive. And who knows, your next batch might just be an award winner. How the Loyalty Scheme Works The idea is simple,  the more you brew, the more you save . You’re automatically enrolled,   no registration required Points are added to your account every time you place an order You can check your balance anytime by logging into your account Each loyalty point is worth 1p , and once you reach 500 points (£5) or more, you can convert them into a discount code to use on future purchases. At checkout, you’ll see a ' Customer Loyalty Points'  section where you can generate your code. You don’t have to spend them straight away either, points c...

If you’re looking for a proper summer beer festival in Sheffield, The Rising Sun is once again hosting its much-loved Sunfest ,  a highlight of the local real ale calendar. Running from Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th July 2009 , this annual event brings together an impressive selection of drinks and live entertainment in a relaxed, welcoming setting. What to Expect 60+ real ales from across the UK A selection of ciders and bottled beers A lively atmosphere with plenty for both seasoned ale enthusiasts and casual visitors Whether you’re keen to explore new brews or simply enjoy a well-kept pint in good company, Sunfest offers plenty of choice. Live Music Line-Up The festival isn’t just about the beer, there’s a strong musical line-up across the weekend: Friday 10th July: Gentlemen of Jazz Saturday 11th July: Scuppered & The Loxley Silver Band Expect everything from smooth jazz to lively brass, adding to the festival atmosphere. Plan Your Visit 📍 Venue:...

Some beers announce themselves loudly. Others unfold more slow, layer by layer, sip by sip. Chimay Blanche Tripel , often known simply as 'Chimay White,' belongs firmly in the latter category: a beer of refinement, balance, and quiet confidence. Brewed by the monks of Scourmont Abbey under the Chimay Brewery name, this is one of the most recognisable examples of the Belgian Tripel style ,  a beer that manages to be both rich and remarkably drinkable. A Tradition of Trappist Brewing Trappist beers are not just defined by style, but by origin and philosophy. To carry the name, they must be brewed within the walls of a Trappist monastery, under the supervision of the monastic community, with profits supporting the abbey and its charitable works. At Scourmont Abbey , brewing is part of a wider rhythm of life, one that values patience, precision, and a respect for process. This ethos is evident in every glass of Chimay. In the Glass Chimay Blanche Tripel pours a rich golden...

It’s never comfortable to question a brewery you respect. Titanic Brewery has long been regarded as one of the stalwarts of British real ale, reliable, consistent, and capable of producing beers that balance tradition with character. Which is why, when something falls short of expectation, it feels worth noting. Recent reports and personal experience suggest that not everything has been entirely smooth sailing. When Clarity Matters The issue in question is not flavour, but clarity . A pint of cask ale carries certain expectations, and visual presentation is one of them. While some modern styles embrace haze, traditional British ales are typically expected to pour bright and clear . What has been appearing in some outlets, however, is something rather different. 'Hazy' might be the polite description. 'Cloudy' feels closer to the mark. Longitude: A Case in Point The beer in question was Longitude (4.4% ABV), a seasonal offering that, on paper and in flavour, d...

There’s a particular kind of culture shock that comes not from landscape or language, but from the bar. For anyone arriving in Cornwall from the north of England, where hand pulls often offer a rotating cast of breweries and styles, the shift can feel subtle at first, then suddenly quite stark. Cornwall is, by any measure, a beautiful place to drink, with coastal pubs, sea air, and a slower pace of life. But for the travelling or transplanted real ale drinker, it can feel, at times, like something of a desert of variety . That may sound harsh. It isn’t meant to be. A Strong Local Identity Cornwall is not short of good beer, far from it. Breweries such as St Austell Brewery and Skinner’s Brewery have built strong reputations, producing ales that are widely enjoyed both locally and across the UK. Walk into many pubs across the county, and you’ll find their beers well kept, well presented, and clearly appreciated. For locals and visitors alike, this consistency is a strength. There...