Episode 127: Manchester is a Hoppy Place - Putting the World to Rights [with Dave Hayward and Nick Law at Alphabet Brewery]

This week, Nick takes a trip over the Pennines to Manchester to catch up with owner of Windsor based bottle shop and taproom and winner of the SIBA Best Independent Craft Beer Retailer, A Hoppy Place.Recorded live on location at Alphabet Brewery, with a brief stop off at Track Brewing Co for a pint of Sonoma and to admire their floor, Nick and Dave discuss Inbetweenland, an article written by Dave to highlight why and how breweries need to support their local independent bottle shops due to the rise of breweries selling direct to consumers, how the pandemic is still affecting businesses like his and how breweries and bottle shops can work together more harmoniously.Over a couple of fantastic beers from Alphabet Brewery, as in any conversation down the pub, our discussion turned to the hot topic of the day: social media and sharing opinions online about craft beer, life and everything in between.This episode, recorded on location Saturday 9th October 2021, touches upon themes of respectfully considering others opinions and mediating conversations, even when we don't agree with what is being said.It seems like a timely topic given some of the online chat and debate that has been taking place recently surrounding MBCC (though this was recorded prior to the activity taking place this week).To find out more about A Hoppy Place and to read Dave's thoughts on all manner of things, check out their website https://ahoppyplace.co.uk/THIS WEEK'S EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY CRISP MALTSince 1870, Crisp Malt has been producing the finest malt at Great Ryburgh in Norfolk. With 5 maltings located in the best barley growing areas in the UK, they produce a wide range of malts and non-malted cereals in 25kg sacks for craft brewers and distillers all over the world.They still work one of the last remaining floor maltings in England and use it to make their pioneering heritage malts. They also craft roasted and crystal malts of unprecedented consistency on their vertical, all electric tower roasting plant, the only one of its kind in the UK. Check out their website for more information about their range of malts and also their educational blogs and webinars too.Visit crispmalt.com to find out moreFollow Hop Forward on Social MediaFacebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedInFind out what we can do for your brewery and businessHop over to www.hopforward.beer to discover more.