On the Hop Forward Podcast this week, we head to Wellington, New Zealand, by the magic of the internet to sit down digitally with Pete Gillespie, co-founder of Garage Project, for a deep dive into one of the most unusual hop-forward beers you’re likely to come across: Sludgefest — a Radical Recycled Hop IPA brewed using reused dry-hop slurry.

We discuss this unusual beer, how it tastes and the approach Garage Project takes towards creativity and experimentation on their beers, while keeping a consistent core range available to the average supermarket drinker.

We also talk about their pickle beer (yes, you read that right!), their wild fermentation programme and how craft beer is considered ‘nostalgic’ to Gen Z - the beers their mums and dads kept in the fridge.

The discussion with Pete starts at 36:32.

Nick is also joined this week by Will Rogers from Charles Faram, discussing the 2025’s hop harvest, what to expect from this year’s crop and how fresh isn’t always ‘best’.

THIS WEEK'S EPISODE IS PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Charles Faram & Co (charlesfaram.com)
Supplying hops for over 150 years, Charles Faram offers a vast range of nitrogen-flushed hop varieties from the UK, Europe, New Zealand, and the USA.

Crisp Malt (crispmalt.com)
Since 1870, Crisp has blended tradition with innovation, producing malts like Chevallier Heritage and Clear Choice Malt.

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