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...

If you like your beer bold, bitter, and a bit mysterious, a Black IPA might just be your thing. It’s a style that doesn’t always make sense at first, dark like a stout, but bursting with the hops you’d expect in a pale ale. It can take a few goes to really “get” it, but once you do, you’ll probably find it’s one of the most rewarding styles around.   So, What Exactly Is a Black IPA? A Black IPA  (sometimes called a Cascadian Dark Ale ) mixes two things that don’t sound like they should work together, roasted dark malts and the bright, punchy hops of an IPA. You end up with something that smells roasty, tastes hoppy, and looks almost like a porter. The malt brings that deep coffee and chocolate flavour, while the hops bring in citrus, tropical and pine notes. When it’s brewed well, the two sides balance each other perfectly, rich but still crisp, roasty but never heavy. It’s like someone took your favourite IPA, switched the lights off, and added just enough dark malt to k...

This is a blog post I've wanted to write for ages, because you do hear many of these being discussed as a matter of fact , then they aren't! Beer is one of the oldest drinks in the world, and with age comes… nonsense. People have been spreading half-truths, myths, and outright fabrications about beer for decades. Some are harmless, others just make you roll your eyes in the pub. Today, we’re putting on our thinking caps (and maybe pouring a pint while we do it) and debunking a few of the most persistent beer myths out there. Myth 1: Dark Beers Are Always Strong How often have you heard someone assume that because a beer is dark, it’s going to hit you like a freight train? I honestly think that when I started out on his journey I had this discussion at least once a month with colleagues at work. As a myth, it simply isn't true. Colour comes from the roasted malt, not the alcohol content. I’ve had porters and stouts at 4–5% ABV that are smooth and easygoing, and I’ve had pale...