Matthew Curtis
@totalcurtis.bsky.social
Freelance writer and photographer obsessed with beer, pubs and their culture. Founding editor @pelliclemag.com. He/Him.
More about me and my work: www.totalales.co.uk
More about me and my work: www.totalales.co.uk
Pinned
Matthew Curtis
@totalcurtis.bsky.social
· Sep 10
In February 2024 I visited French & Jupps, the UKs oldest existing maltster, and roasted malt specialist. I’d never heard of them before, despite them being in operation since 1689. It’s story fascinated me, so I wrote it for @pelliclemag.com here:
www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/9/...
www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/9/...
And lo, it was foretold
February 14, 2026 at 2:22 PM
And lo, it was foretold
Reposted by Matthew Curtis
A unique piece of UK brewing history has been saved by one of England's best breweries. Excellent story, beautifully told.
It’s a lovely morning… to watch a three part mini-documentary on the @thornbridge.bsky.social Burton Union, which I’ve compiled into a handy playlist on YouTube here:
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
The Burton Union - YouTube
A three-part mini-documentary on the Burton Union set at Thornbridge Brewery in Bakewell, Derbyshire. Shot, edited and produced by Matthew Curtis.
youtube.com
February 14, 2026 at 11:14 AM
A unique piece of UK brewing history has been saved by one of England's best breweries. Excellent story, beautifully told.
Yes I too have just heard the big beer news.
Fat Tire amber ale is coming back!
Fat Tire amber ale is coming back!
February 14, 2026 at 10:25 AM
Yes I too have just heard the big beer news.
Fat Tire amber ale is coming back!
Fat Tire amber ale is coming back!
Reposted by Matthew Curtis
Re-reading @eoghanwalshbxl.bsky.social's piece on Dublin's football and independent beer scenes because for the first time in ages, going to the footie today won't be a total washout ☀️🥅
www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/8/...
www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/8/...
I Have a Love — The Resurrection of Beer, Football and Community Under Dublin Floodlights — Pellicle
On 15 July 2009, Stephen Clinch landed in Salzburg, tired and confused, after jetting from Dublin to Sioux Falls, Minneapolis, back to Dublin, and finally, to Munich. He’d been buying equipment for hi...
www.pelliclemag.com
February 14, 2026 at 9:07 AM
Re-reading @eoghanwalshbxl.bsky.social's piece on Dublin's football and independent beer scenes because for the first time in ages, going to the footie today won't be a total washout ☀️🥅
www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/8/...
www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/8/...
It’s a lovely morning… to watch a three part mini-documentary on the @thornbridge.bsky.social Burton Union, which I’ve compiled into a handy playlist on YouTube here:
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
The Burton Union - YouTube
A three-part mini-documentary on the Burton Union set at Thornbridge Brewery in Bakewell, Derbyshire. Shot, edited and produced by Matthew Curtis.
youtube.com
February 14, 2026 at 9:39 AM
It’s a lovely morning… to watch a three part mini-documentary on the @thornbridge.bsky.social Burton Union, which I’ve compiled into a handy playlist on YouTube here:
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Might go into town today and buy a really big sandwich
February 14, 2026 at 9:36 AM
Might go into town today and buy a really big sandwich
I just became one with a pint of Jarl
February 13, 2026 at 6:05 PM
I just became one with a pint of Jarl
Reposted by Matthew Curtis
There's a lot of chat in this episode between @katiematherkm.bsky.social and @rickhough.bsky.social about how we commission stories, what we love about beer, wine and pub culture writing, and more about what we're planning in the future. Check it out!
www.italianwinepodcast.com/Episodes/ep-...
www.italianwinepodcast.com/Episodes/ep-...
Ep. 2608 Pub Culture, Natural Wine & Island Terroir with Katie Mather | Book Club with Richard Hough
Dive into the world of Pub Culture and Natural Wine Industry Insights. Join Richard Hough and Katie Mather in Episode 2608.
www.italianwinepodcast.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:45 AM
There's a lot of chat in this episode between @katiematherkm.bsky.social and @rickhough.bsky.social about how we commission stories, what we love about beer, wine and pub culture writing, and more about what we're planning in the future. Check it out!
www.italianwinepodcast.com/Episodes/ep-...
www.italianwinepodcast.com/Episodes/ep-...
Amid the glumness of February, I decided to use my What’s Brewing column to highlight some of the positives I’ve seen in beer recently, with a focus on independent producers. You can read it here:
wb.camra.org.uk/2026/02/05/r...
wb.camra.org.uk/2026/02/05/r...
Reasons to be cheerful
Speak to the owner of any small, independent brewery and I’ll bet you 50p they’ve got feelings on how tough things are at the moment. Honestly, everyt...
wb.camra.org.uk
February 13, 2026 at 9:27 AM
Amid the glumness of February, I decided to use my What’s Brewing column to highlight some of the positives I’ve seen in beer recently, with a focus on independent producers. You can read it here:
wb.camra.org.uk/2026/02/05/r...
wb.camra.org.uk/2026/02/05/r...
Reposted by Matthew Curtis
New @londonbeercity.bsky.social out this weekend. Featuring:
- what does ‘Irish pub’ mean in modern London?
- crunch-time for Ye Olde Swiss Cottage
- who is London’s top porter producer?
- trifle and darts in East Dulwich
Sign up here: www.willhawkes.net/london-beer-...
- what does ‘Irish pub’ mean in modern London?
- crunch-time for Ye Olde Swiss Cottage
- who is London’s top porter producer?
- trifle and darts in East Dulwich
Sign up here: www.willhawkes.net/london-beer-...
February 13, 2026 at 8:12 AM
New @londonbeercity.bsky.social out this weekend. Featuring:
- what does ‘Irish pub’ mean in modern London?
- crunch-time for Ye Olde Swiss Cottage
- who is London’s top porter producer?
- trifle and darts in East Dulwich
Sign up here: www.willhawkes.net/london-beer-...
- what does ‘Irish pub’ mean in modern London?
- crunch-time for Ye Olde Swiss Cottage
- who is London’s top porter producer?
- trifle and darts in East Dulwich
Sign up here: www.willhawkes.net/london-beer-...
Reposted by Matthew Curtis
Loved this from @pelliclemag.com.
'You can change with the times, but you can also choose to ignore the complicated shit'
www.pelliclemag.com/home/2026/2/...
'You can change with the times, but you can also choose to ignore the complicated shit'
www.pelliclemag.com/home/2026/2/...
Ghost Town — Hometown Boozers and Non-Alcoholic Drinks in Epping, Essex — Pellicle
What do you order in the pub when you’re not drinking, or aren’t in the mood for a pint? Lime and soda —a classic—is my go-to. It’s tasty; it’s reliable. You can go to any pub, anywhere, and they hav...
www.pelliclemag.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Loved this from @pelliclemag.com.
'You can change with the times, but you can also choose to ignore the complicated shit'
www.pelliclemag.com/home/2026/2/...
'You can change with the times, but you can also choose to ignore the complicated shit'
www.pelliclemag.com/home/2026/2/...
The trad revival continues apace. This is perfect instagram fodder for those that seek to content-ize such things.
February 12, 2026 at 5:52 PM
The trad revival continues apace. This is perfect instagram fodder for those that seek to content-ize such things.
Reposted by Matthew Curtis
Over the next few weeks we will spotlight some of the award winning work from our members so you can give it some more much deserved attention (if you haven’t already).
Today’s spotlight is on Laura Hadland’s: “how do you fingerprint an apple?”
cider-review.com/2024/11/02/h...
Today’s spotlight is on Laura Hadland’s: “how do you fingerprint an apple?”
cider-review.com/2024/11/02/h...
How do you fingerprint an apple?
Laura speaks with Barny Butterfield and Edwards about reviving research on unique cider varieties using DNA analysis.
cider-review.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Over the next few weeks we will spotlight some of the award winning work from our members so you can give it some more much deserved attention (if you haven’t already).
Today’s spotlight is on Laura Hadland’s: “how do you fingerprint an apple?”
cider-review.com/2024/11/02/h...
Today’s spotlight is on Laura Hadland’s: “how do you fingerprint an apple?”
cider-review.com/2024/11/02/h...
Can't wait to drink this.
Late last year, we got an email from our friends at @thornbridge asking if we’d like to brew a beer on the Burton Union. The answer, of course, was a resounding YES 🙌
February 12, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Can't wait to drink this.
I had a pint of Wylam brewery's 'Plain' porter on cask at The Magnet last night, and it was about 100x more delicious than any nitro stout I have ever had, and just as drinkable.
February 12, 2026 at 1:23 PM
I had a pint of Wylam brewery's 'Plain' porter on cask at The Magnet last night, and it was about 100x more delicious than any nitro stout I have ever had, and just as drinkable.
Something we've chatted about a lot internally is how important it is to find different perspectives from new (to us) voices on pub life and culture, and this piece from @mossheadlives.bsky.social about returning to their hometown pub is just that.
Newt Albiston has a complex relationship with their hometown of Epping, Essex. Visiting their dad's local pub after the anti-immigration protests in the town last year brought up some heavy feelings.
www.pelliclemag.com/home/2026/2/...
www.pelliclemag.com/home/2026/2/...
Ghost Town — Hometown Boozers and Non-Alcoholic Drinks in Epping, Essex — Pellicle
What do you order in the pub when you’re not drinking, or aren’t in the mood for a pint? Lime and soda —a classic—is my go-to. It’s tasty; it’s reliable. You can go to any pub, anywhere, and they hav...
www.pelliclemag.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:33 PM
Something we've chatted about a lot internally is how important it is to find different perspectives from new (to us) voices on pub life and culture, and this piece from @mossheadlives.bsky.social about returning to their hometown pub is just that.
You can now also follow us on YouTube where I’ll be posting all of my vids in the future. Hope to keep making these in addition to my writing and podcast:
youtube.com/@pelliclemag...
youtube.com/@pelliclemag...
Pellicle
youtube.com
February 11, 2026 at 8:54 AM
You can now also follow us on YouTube where I’ll be posting all of my vids in the future. Hope to keep making these in addition to my writing and podcast:
youtube.com/@pelliclemag...
youtube.com/@pelliclemag...
And here’s the third part. Like I said yesterday, if you find value in work like this, please consider becoming a @pelliclemag.com subscriber, as that’s how we ensure we can produce more just like it.
February 11, 2026 at 8:16 AM
And here’s the third part. Like I said yesterday, if you find value in work like this, please consider becoming a @pelliclemag.com subscriber, as that’s how we ensure we can produce more just like it.
Here is the second part of my mini documentary on the @thornbridge.bsky.social Burton Union, which takes a closer look at its recent collaboration with Theakston’s, and features a few familiar faces.
February 10, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Here is the second part of my mini documentary on the @thornbridge.bsky.social Burton Union, which takes a closer look at its recent collaboration with Theakston’s, and features a few familiar faces.
Just giving this an afternoon bump, in case you missed it earlier.
As promised, here’s the first part of the three part ‘mini-documentary’ I captured during a two-day visit to Thornbridge last October. Soon to be followed by a podcast and write up, also.
February 9, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Just giving this an afternoon bump, in case you missed it earlier.
Reposted by Matthew Curtis
Seem to have picked up a few Edinburgh followers. 👋🏾
Might be a good time to post this @pelliclemag.com article about a great pub in Leith
www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/3/...
Might be a good time to post this @pelliclemag.com article about a great pub in Leith
www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/3/...
Problems All Left Alone — The Persevere, Leith — Pellicle
When I walk into a near-empty Persevere on a drizzly Leith weekday, its vastness swallows me up like a whale. Moments later, when I gingerly take my pint of Newbarns Pale Ale to the table and sit in ...
www.pelliclemag.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:43 AM
Seem to have picked up a few Edinburgh followers. 👋🏾
Might be a good time to post this @pelliclemag.com article about a great pub in Leith
www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/3/...
Might be a good time to post this @pelliclemag.com article about a great pub in Leith
www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/3/...
Final proofs of Manchester’s Best 2 all done. 220 pubs. Out April 2nd. Pre-orders available soon!
February 9, 2026 at 10:25 AM
Final proofs of Manchester’s Best 2 all done. 220 pubs. Out April 2nd. Pre-orders available soon!
As promised, here’s the first part of the three part ‘mini-documentary’ I captured during a two-day visit to Thornbridge last October. Soon to be followed by a podcast and write up, also.
February 9, 2026 at 8:53 AM
As promised, here’s the first part of the three part ‘mini-documentary’ I captured during a two-day visit to Thornbridge last October. Soon to be followed by a podcast and write up, also.
Lochlea Our Barley is such a great whisky from a young distillery. Perfect way to end a nice weekend.
February 8, 2026 at 10:15 PM
Lochlea Our Barley is such a great whisky from a young distillery. Perfect way to end a nice weekend.
Devastated to hear of the passing of Des de Moor. A fantastic writer and person, I feel lucky to have known him and to have enjoyed the work he put out over the years. Love and condolences to his family.
February 8, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Devastated to hear of the passing of Des de Moor. A fantastic writer and person, I feel lucky to have known him and to have enjoyed the work he put out over the years. Love and condolences to his family.