How Brewing Brothers Went From Pubs to Pioneers

In this episode of Yours For The Making, Robin Johnson sits down with Billy Ericksson, Head Brewer at Brewing Brothers in Hastings. From pouring pints in pubs to managing a 3,200-litre brewery, Billy shares the full story behind one of the South Coast’s most respected independent craft breweries.Billy talks about local hops, seasonal brewing, and the art of creating unique small-batch beers using foraged ingredients like spruce tips and raspberries. He reflects on how Brewing Brothers adapted during COVID-19, pivoting to pizza deliveries and packaging beer by hand. He also explains how the business scaled from a 400-litre brew kit to multiple venues without losing its small-scale brewing soul.For anyone curious about the craft beer industry, running a brewery, or the science and creativity behind ale, this is a deep-dive into what it really takes to build a brewery that lasts.Key Topics Covered:Brewing Brothers' philosophy on local hops and sustainabilityScaling from a 400L kit to a 3,200L operationBrewing techniques: mashing, sparging, boiling, fermentationThe rise of New England IPAs and seasonal beer stylesForaging in brewing: spruce tips, raspberries, and hedgerow ingredientsSurviving COVID: beer and pizza delivery, mobile canningWorking with local farms and UK hop growersGrowth strategies without losing small-batch integrityThe real story behind the “Mordor” breweryChallenges of staffing, training, and staying adaptableEnjoying the show?Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson – founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, and Woodland Workshop – this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life.Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.🎧 Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.Key Moments:00:00 – Introduction to Billy & Brewing Brothers03:15 – From pulling pints to brewing beer06:32 – Brewing Brothers’ first 400-litre kit08:45 – “Mordor”: Renovating the old brewery site10:59 – How COVID reshaped their business14:18 – Small-batch brewing and foraged flavours18:00 – Seasonal adjustments to mash and fermentation21:42 – Scaling production while staying true to craft25:03 – The science behind IPAs and water chemistry28:45 – How New England styles changed the game30:52 – Using local hops from Tibbs Farm33:15 – Why foraged ingredients matter36:27 – Staffing, burnout, and building a team39:45 – The power of branding in modern brewing41:02 – Advice for aspiring brewers