So when WHC Lab announced their first yeast installment of the year, Mango Madness - a strain promising mango and tropical notes during fermentation—it seemed like perfect timing for our newest collaboration. It felt almost serendipitous to develop a featured recipe inspired by this tropical twist, and we’re thrilled to share it with you. I hope it hits the right notes and sparks some brewing creativity.

Now, I promise I won’t ramble too much about my travels, but exploring craft beer in a country where the concept is still emerging was eye-opening. The taprooms we visited showcased a fascinating array of brews, not just from Thailand but also from neighbouring regions. What truly caught my attention, however, were the beers from Laos—especially a dark lager with a uniquely complex profile. It’s an inspiration I’m eager to emulate for our next issue. Let’s see where this creative journey takes us.

Reflecting on MASHED Brewhouse’s Evolution

Taking a step away from your surroundings doesn’t just offer a break, it allows you to reconfigure and refocus. With MASHED Brewhouse in Aberystwyth approaching its one-year anniversary, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how far we’ve come. Looking back at 2024, highlights included our homebrew tournament, club meetups, tasting sessions, and brewing workshops. Each one has been a cornerstone in our efforts to bring people together through the love of craft beer and homebrew. As we gear up for another season, we’re making thoughtful improvements to elevate your experience with us.

Community has always been at the heart of MASHED Brewhouse’s ethos. That’s why we’re thrilled to unveil an exciting new layout for our HQ, designed to foster connections and create immersive experiences for brewers and enthusiasts alike. One of our key upgrades includes a brand new bar/island setup, seating up to 20 guests, where you can gather to share your brews, swap ideas, and discuss what’s next on the brewing horizon.

 In addition, we’re developing a permanent brew station equipped with a Brew Tank and Uni Tank, available for both demonstrations and public use. These additions aim to make brewing more accessible and collaborative, cementing our vision of community-driven craft beer innovation.

The MASHED Micro Tournaments

We’re also excited about this year’s format for our MASHED homebrewing tournament (see page 10). With four opportunities to claim a trophy and a £50 voucher, as well as four tournament cup presentation parties over the next 12 months to enjoy, we hope you’ll be up for the challenge. You know, there are no rules to say that one homebrewer can’t win all four tournaments…

Aber Beer Festival and Beyond

As preparations for this year’s Aber Beer Festival are in full swing, we’re excited to extend an invitation to anyone who’d like to get involved. Book a session at MASHED to brew a beer for us to serve in your name during the festival (can you beat last year’s epic novice and experienced brewers?) Or send us a recipe you would like us to brew. Or simply join us for tasty beers and great company over the festival.

 Whether you’re an avid brewer, a curious observer, or someone who loves the camaraderie of sharing great beer, we’d love to hear from you. This is your chance to be part of something special and contribute to Aberystwyth’s thriving craft beer scene.

Here’s to another exciting year at MASHED Brewhouse—let’s raise a glass to collaboration, creativity, and community. Cheers! ■