What is a Witbier? The cloudy Belgian wheat beer that proves subtle can still be interesting. If you’ve ever wondered what is witbier, chances are you’ve already drunk one without really thinking about it. It’s often light in colour, hazy in the glass, and gently flavoured, which can make it easy to overlook. That’s a shame, because when witbier is brewed well, it’s quietly refreshing, balanced, and far more nuanced than it first appears.   So, what is witbier exactly? Witbier is a traditional Belgian wheat beer, most closely associated with the town of Hoegaarden. The word “wit” means white, referring to its pale, cloudy appearance rather than any actual colour. It’s brewed with a high proportion of wheat, usually alongside barley, and traditionally flavoured with coriander and orange peel. The result is a beer that’s light, aromatic, and designed to be refreshing rather than bold.   What does witbier taste like? A good witbier is soft and smooth, with gentle c...

These guys and their beers are genuinely brilliant. Tartarus Beers are one of those breweries I found myself going back to again and again, almost without noticing. I’d try one beer, then another, then a few more, and it slowly clicked; I was sat in the House of Ales micropub one day, drinking yet another Tartarus beer, and realised they’d joined my mental list of “safe bet” brewers. That’s why they’re my Brewery of the Year for 2025. Tartarus Beers are based just outside Leeds, but they still feel firmly rooted in the heart of Yorkshire. They’re a microbrewery producing small batch craft beer, and you can taste it in every glass, nothing feels mass-produced or soulless. Their beers feel like someone has taken the time to do them properly. One of the first things you notice when you look at their beers is the mythical theme they use, every beer has a creature or legend tied to it, along with a unique name and some incredible can art; and these aren't throwaway designs, they’re det...

Once the poster child of the UK craft beer scene, BrewDog built its empire on attitude, bold flavour, and a middle finger to the mainstream. It was punk, loud, and proud of it. But lately, the wheels seem to be wobbling. Fans are turning away, ABVs are dropping, flavours are blander, and the endless novelty releases are starting to feel like a cover-up rather than creativity. So what’s gone wrong at BrewDog, and can they fix it? Fr om Garage Rebels to Global Giants Back in 2007, BrewDog was exactly what UK beer needed. James Watt and Martin Dickie started brewing in a garage in Ellon, Scotland, with one mission – to make people care about great beer again. They launched Punk IPA, 5AM Saint, and Dead Pony Club, and suddenly, lager drinkers everywhere were talking about hops. They had swagger. They swore on camera. They called out “bland corporate brewers” and promised to shake up the system. And it worked. Through their Equity for Punks crowdfunding campaigns, they turned drinkers into...

BrewDog Counter Strike Review A West Coast IPA that aims for nostalgia, but plays it a little too safe. I was genuinely excited to try BrewDog Counter Strike. Partly because, despite everything, I do still kinda like BrewDog. Partly because I love a good West Coast IPA. And partly because, many years ago, I played far too much Counter Strike. Just to be clear, though, this beer has absolutely nothing to do with the Valve game of the same name. Marketed as a West Coast IPA at 6.8 percent ABV, Counter Strike promises punchy bitterness, pine, resin, and a clear fruit edge. On paper, it hints at a style many of us still miss. Crisp, dry, unapologetically bitter, and not afraid to leave a mark. The real question for me was simple. Can BrewDog still deliver a straight West Coast IPA without the noise, the stunts, and the usual hype? The £3.75 I paid for this 440ml can in Sainsbury’s was me hoping they were back to their best.   Appearance Alarm bells started ringing as s...

Magners Original Irish Cider Review A cider tied to memories, nostalgia, and a very specific moment in drinking culture. I can’t believe it’s taken me something like four years to finally sit down and review Magners Original Irish Cider. Back in the day, I drank absolute battleships full of the stuff. I first really got into Magners in my late twenties. It was everywhere. In many ways, it feels like the early-2000s version of what Madri is today. You couldn’t move without seeing someone drinking it. Bars, clubs, nights out, it was just the default choice. Back then, I’d regularly have a few cans over ice, usually without giving it a second thought. It was refreshing, easy to drink, and felt like the right drink for the moment. Looking back now, it’s funny how much more aware I am of what’s actually in my glass. Magners Original Irish Cider comes in at a respectable 4.5 percent ABV. That makes it properly sessionable, but still enough to give you a gentle kick if you’ve had...

Ever noticed how some people swear by putting ice in their drinks, while others recoil at the thought? I’ve always had ice in ciders when I was in my 20s. In bars and clubs, it was just the done thing; everyone wanted a cold, refreshing drink fast. But here’s the thing, there’s a downside. Why People Use Ice It’s simple. Ice chills a drink quickly. On a hot day, or when you’re out dancing and sweating, nothing beats that instant cold hit. For ciders, beers, or even lagers, it can make a drink more sessionable, easier to sip without that first sharp kick of alcohol, and just more refreshing overall. There’s also the aesthetic. Seeing a glass filled with ice makes a drink look cooler, more appealing, and feels like you’re treating yourself, even if it’s a cheap cider. It’s part of that bar culture vibe. The Downside Ice doesn’t just cool your drink. It dilutes it. Slowly, the flavour fades, the carbonation drops, and what started as crisp and fruity can end up thin and watery. For c...

Bravehop Dark Review A Black IPA that quietly proves how good this style can be. Sometimes a beer surprises you for no reason other than the fact it’s genuinely well made. That’s exactly how I felt when I tried Bravehop Dark from Loch Lomond Brewery. I’d like to say I picked this up on a whim in Lidl, but the truth is a bit more deliberate. I like to review a wide range of beers, and if there’s something I’ve never tried before, it usually ends up in the basket. At £1.99 for a 440ml can, Bravehop Dark also ticked another box. I’ve been trying to build out my Black IPA reviews and get a better handle on the style. What I didn’t expect was for it to end up as one of my favourites in the category, scoring a solid 8 out of 10. Black IPAs are one of those styles that can take a little getting used to. They look dark and heavy, like a stout or porter, then hit you with hops, fruit, and sometimes pine. That contrast can feel strange the first time around, and I can completely und...