09/01/2026
Episode 200 of the Hop Forward Podcast is now out on all good streaming platforms 🤩🎙️
EPISODE 200: Return of the Fat Jedi
[with Damian Doherty from Emperor's Brewery]
📻 TUNE IN: https://hopforward.beer/episodes/emperors-brewery-return-of-the-fat-jedi
And along with it some news 😔
After 7 years of conversations with craft brewers and visits to some incredible breweries, I’ve decided it’s finally time to call time at the bar on the Hop Forward Podcast.
When I set out to do the show, I wasn’t sure if anyone would even listen. And, if they did, I thought they’d call me out as a fraud: ‘What do you know about making beer and running a brewery…?!’
In my quest to help both myself and others get ahead in the brewing and beer business, I’ve had some AMAZING opportunities to speak to and learn from some of the industry’s best talent. More-so, I’ve met a lot of people on the journey who I now consider friends for life 🙏
It’s a decision I’ve laboured over for a long time… should I, shouldn’t I? But in many ways, I’ve achieved what I set out to do: I’ve helped people on their brewing business journey whilst traversing mine. My kids are growing up (fast), I’ve finally got a better brew space of my own (with a decent floor!) and I’m involved with some great breweries and projects.
My wife says, ‘Never say never!’ so, who knows, maybe the show will be back in some way, shape or form? 🤷🏻♂️ But for now, it’s time, Frodo Baggins, to go into the Undying Lands and do some other things.
Like a good pub crawl, all good things come to an end. BUT, not without a big boozy Imperial Stout sized episode to round off the proceedings before staggering home into the sunset.
For this final episode (until Disney reboot the show), I’m joined by the Emperor himself, Damian Doherty from Emperor’s Brewery in The Fat Jedi (aka Damian's truly intergalactic beer cellar!) to chat all things Imperial Stouts, Porters and Barley Wines.
We reminisce about the rise of craft beer, what has changed over the past 10-15 years, how to brew a truly great high-gravity beer, and Damian is put through his paces to see whether he truly is a Jedi or is as mediocre as an Untappd score (“0.5/5 - Don’t like Barley Wines!”).
Finally, all there is left to say is a BIG THANKS to those who have tuned into the show, said encouraging things or put their money where their mouth is and supported the podcast financially. There’s a list of suppliers too big to name but Crisp Malt and Charles Faram & Co Ltd have been staples for years, still lending their support after all this time.
And, if I don’t see you:
Good afternoon.
Good evening.
And good night.
