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/...
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.
I have been trying to keep calm about the season Lincoln City are having but I am starting to feel it. Bolton at home next week, a massive six-pointer 😬
February 8, 2026 at 11:34 AM
I have been trying to keep calm about the season Lincoln City are having but I am starting to feel it. Bolton at home next week, a massive six-pointer 😬
Reposted by Matthew Curtis
FUCKIN... SHOES ON IN THE KITCHEN, PEDO HANDS IN THE CROCK POT-ASS POMEGRANATE AGA BEYOND ANYONE'S WILDEST BUDGET. HYPERTENTION NEEDLE VEIN ROSACEA BETRAYING LONG NIGHTS IN THE DARKEST FOLDS OF THE CARRIBEAN. PINCHING AIR BECAUSE YOU CANNOT TOUCH SALT
February 7, 2026 at 12:23 AM
FUCKIN... SHOES ON IN THE KITCHEN, PEDO HANDS IN THE CROCK POT-ASS POMEGRANATE AGA BEYOND ANYONE'S WILDEST BUDGET. HYPERTENTION NEEDLE VEIN ROSACEA BETRAYING LONG NIGHTS IN THE DARKEST FOLDS OF THE CARRIBEAN. PINCHING AIR BECAUSE YOU CANNOT TOUCH SALT
I have managed to catch a stinking cold exactly a month after my previous stinking cold. At least this means I can stay in bed and play Chrono Trigger.
February 7, 2026 at 10:46 AM
I have managed to catch a stinking cold exactly a month after my previous stinking cold. At least this means I can stay in bed and play Chrono Trigger.
Reposted by Matthew Curtis
Did you know… that this week’s beery news notes were brought to you by @totalcurtis.bsky.social @stanhieronymus.bsky.social @dinfontay.com @boakandbailey.bsky.social @petebrownbeer.bsky.social @beesononbooze.bsky.social and a long trudge in the snow.
I could be planting peas outside in a month but for now, the time of bad winter is here. The former fluffy stuff now frozen into ball joint snapping block, sidewalks glazed into ankle crackers. Have a great day! Here’s the news.
Your Sunny Yet Still Cold But Not Standoffish Beery News Notes For Early February – A Good Beer Blog
abetterbeerblog427.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Did you know… that this week’s beery news notes were brought to you by @totalcurtis.bsky.social @stanhieronymus.bsky.social @dinfontay.com @boakandbailey.bsky.social @petebrownbeer.bsky.social @beesononbooze.bsky.social and a long trudge in the snow.
Really excited to show you these videos (basically mini documentaries) I’ve been making of the burton union up at Thornbridge. First one drops on Monday, over on the old ‘Gram. But I might also post it here if you ask nicely.
February 5, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Really excited to show you these videos (basically mini documentaries) I’ve been making of the burton union up at Thornbridge. First one drops on Monday, over on the old ‘Gram. But I might also post it here if you ask nicely.
Reposted by Matthew Curtis
Eckhart Beer Co. in Bushwick, NY—a place of community and what look and sound like absolutely delicious crispy pints. Thank you @divalentinope.bsky.social for the escapism, the joy, and the hope.
www.pelliclemag.com/home/2026/1/...
www.pelliclemag.com/home/2026/1/...
Turn On the Bright Lights — How New York City’s Eckhart Beer Co. is Making the Old New Again — Pellicle
If you’ve been into beer for a while, then you’re probably getting used to saying goodbye. In 2025, more breweries in the U.S. closed than opened, and the same was true in 2024. New York City was no...
www.pelliclemag.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Eckhart Beer Co. in Bushwick, NY—a place of community and what look and sound like absolutely delicious crispy pints. Thank you @divalentinope.bsky.social for the escapism, the joy, and the hope.
www.pelliclemag.com/home/2026/1/...
www.pelliclemag.com/home/2026/1/...
Reposted by Matthew Curtis
Don’t miss out on this lovely profile of Eckhart Brewing in NYC we published today. The US beer scene remains important to me despite everything and we’ll keep drip feeding these stories through when we discover breweries that spark our curiosity like these.
Eckhart Beer Co. in Bushwick, NY—a place of community and what look and sound like absolutely delicious crispy pints. Thank you @divalentinope.bsky.social for the escapism, the joy, and the hope.
www.pelliclemag.com/home/2026/1/...
www.pelliclemag.com/home/2026/1/...
Turn On the Bright Lights — How New York City’s Eckhart Beer Co. is Making the Old New Again — Pellicle
If you’ve been into beer for a while, then you’re probably getting used to saying goodbye. In 2025, more breweries in the U.S. closed than opened, and the same was true in 2024. New York City was no...
www.pelliclemag.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Don’t miss out on this lovely profile of Eckhart Brewing in NYC we published today. The US beer scene remains important to me despite everything and we’ll keep drip feeding these stories through when we discover breweries that spark our curiosity like these.
Reposted by Matthew Curtis
Hey everyone we're BACK!
Join us on the Youtubes for 45 minutes of cosy, heartfelt chats about Franconian lager, northern beer culture, the beers in our heads, and erm... nitro lagers... with the inimitable lager legends Donzoko.
youtu.be/T55_Ft0CKfM
Join us on the Youtubes for 45 minutes of cosy, heartfelt chats about Franconian lager, northern beer culture, the beers in our heads, and erm... nitro lagers... with the inimitable lager legends Donzoko.
youtu.be/T55_Ft0CKfM
DONZOKO: home of foam & nitro lagers
YouTube video by The Craft Beer Channel
youtu.be
February 4, 2026 at 11:54 AM
Hey everyone we're BACK!
Join us on the Youtubes for 45 minutes of cosy, heartfelt chats about Franconian lager, northern beer culture, the beers in our heads, and erm... nitro lagers... with the inimitable lager legends Donzoko.
youtu.be/T55_Ft0CKfM
Join us on the Youtubes for 45 minutes of cosy, heartfelt chats about Franconian lager, northern beer culture, the beers in our heads, and erm... nitro lagers... with the inimitable lager legends Donzoko.
youtu.be/T55_Ft0CKfM
Pellicle’s email this morning was vaguely political so Gmail decided to mark it as malicious spam. Nice.
February 4, 2026 at 9:45 AM
Pellicle’s email this morning was vaguely political so Gmail decided to mark it as malicious spam. Nice.