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Matthew Curtis

@totalcurtis.bsky.social
2.9K followers 816 following 4.4K posts

Freelance food & drink writer and photographer • founder @pelliclemag.com • columnist at The Mill, Ferment, What’s Brewing & lots more.📍Stockport More about me and my work: www.totalales.co.uk // www.pelliclemag.com

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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 7h
“Do you have Instagram in England?”
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 13h
One brewery does not a community make
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 14h
I met some folks for beers here in Fort Collins last night and they were so excited to chat British beer, from trad cask right the way through to breweries like Track, Deya and Beak. I think they’re right to be excited. We have it really good at the moment.
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
I reckon the Geico lizard could take both the Compare the Market meerkats in a straight fight.
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
The sheer dread inspired by experiencing a hangover at altitude is something I have not become the master of despite 16 years of practise.
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Reposted by Matthew Curtis
Pellicle @pelliclemag.com · 07/10/2026
A lovely wine story from North London—volunteers at the community vineyards of Forty Hall Farm are making London's first sparkling wine since the middle ages, in Enfield. www.pelliclemag.com/home/2026/10...
pelliclemag.com
Let’s Work Together —​​​ Community-Led Winemaking at Forty Hall Vineyard, Enfield, London — Pellicle
Standing among 10 acres of grapevines at the edge of Enfield in North London, it’s hard to believe the M25 is so close. A herd of Red Poll cows moo in the neighbouring field; feral parakeets raucously...
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
So the beer was fine, it’s Kirin, but I hope it’s more successful for new Belgium than when Stone did Sapporo. A lot of wastage was required to create the head. Merch was pretty cool though.
Pints of Kirin in branded glassware A half finished pint of Kirin in branded glassware on a table in a tree lined beer gardenGolden Kirin branded bomber jackets
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Last night as I was getting out an Uber the driver turned to me and said “God Save the King” and instinctively I turned around and replied “fuck the King” so there goes your 5* rating dad sorry about that.
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Have a listen and see what you think!
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Mustn’t all artists
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
That said, if you visit Manchester, hit me up, I am always up for having interesting conversations about beer with interesting people!
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
When I started my podcast I made a rule that I would only ever record interviews in person. This has definitely limited my opportunities over the years, but I think the most recent ep is a great example of how conversation flows better over a table with a beer. www.pelliclemag.com/home/2026/9/...
pelliclemag.com
The Pellicle Podcast Ep88 — Beer Educator and Sensory Consultant Mirella Amato — Pellicle
Today’s guest is one of the most knowledgeable people in the beer industry I’ve ever had the pleasure of speaking to. Boasting multiple accolades, including Master Cicerone, BJCP Grand Master, and Acc...
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Apparently they are now brewing Kirin under license at New Belgium, and they are pouring it Japanese style (with the big foamy head) at the taproom. As your diligent reporter, I will go and check it out.
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Indeed, this is all really interesting, thanks for sharing!
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
In 16 years of visiting Colorado my memory is that most were just called “Oktoberfest”s and it meant brown, malty and sweet, and it feels like that term here can be replaced by either “Märzen” or “festbier” interchangeably. However there’s a few breweries here now that do German styles so well!
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
I knew I could count on you!
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Success! A festbier that actually looks and tastes like a festbier. A really good one from Verboten Brewing, probably the best beer of the trip so far tbqh.
Lovely golden festbier
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Yes if a beer I ordered was described as an “Austrian Märzen” I would expect that, much like I would when I ordered a beer described as “festbier” per the original post!
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
I have a new podcast out today with the fantastic Mirella Amato, a master cicerone, BJCP grand master, and BDM at WSET. It’s a great conversation about beer education and all things sensory, and you can listen to it here, or wherever you get your podcasts. www.pelliclemag.com/home/2026/9/...
pelliclemag.com
The Pellicle Podcast Ep88 — Beer Educator and Sensory Consultant Mirella Amato — Pellicle
Today’s guest is one of the most knowledgeable people in the beer industry I’ve ever had the pleasure of speaking to. Boasting multiple accolades, including Master Cicerone, BJCP Grand Master, and Acc...
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Pellicle @pelliclemag.com · 05/10/2026
Attention pubs, cafés, hairdressers, bars, restaurants, tap rooms, leisure centres and butty shops: We can do wholesale pre-order pricing for Pellicle — Issue 1: Joy. Message us for more details!
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Oh and Anspach and Hobday!
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
I’ve had some great ones tbh, esp from Lost and Grounded, Donzoko, Pillars, St. Mars and Utopian
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Delicious!
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Basically we have folks from about 20 countries wanting int shipping, due to *the situation* it’s incredibly expensive so we’ve been working to provide a solution that works that keeps the cost down for everyone
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Just U.K., we’re setting up an account with a retailer that will be able to ship internationally for us
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
This is my understanding too!
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Boniface?
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
When I sat in their tent for many hours in 2016 the beer served was a lighter festbier, and I love their Märzen! But it is not the same beer.
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
My complaint is more rooted around breweries in the US selling “festbier” which according to modern style guides is similar to a stronger Helles, but every time I order one I am served a beer that is malty, amber and sweet.
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
From what I’ve read there are many intricacies! But I believe from the late 1970s the darker, amber märzens were replaced with a lighter style of beer called festbier. When I sat in the hacker-pschorr tent in 2016, the beer was lighter than the beer they tradtionally sell as Märzen
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
I’m having a nice time on holiday btw
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
It’s a niche rant I know but if I order a beer and think I’m getting something pale, snappy and strong but get served something malty and sweet, that affects me personally
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
I am calling for a moratorium on American breweries making Märzen but calling it Festbier. They are two completely different things!!
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Seven more sales until we hit 200 sold! Our plan is to print 1000. If you want to stock it in your bar/brewery/taproom/bottleshop, hit me up!
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Joshi Herrmann @joshih.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
New piece: I've written about Manchester's relationship with Abu Dhabi and how this scandal has forced Burnham to re-adopt old doctrine: Bernsteinism. With @jackdulhanty.bsky.social and @alecherron.bsky.social - featuring some scoopy details. manchestermill.co.uk/man-city-bur...
manchestermill.co.uk
A very Mancunian scandal: How Man City forced Andy Burnham to face his past
We tell the inside story of a city's relationship with Abu Dhabi, including notes that show a council official saying: 'You don’t criticise the council’s relationship with the football club’
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treb @treblaw.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
yeah I use ai, I am ai-ming to drink some beers tonight
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Just had someone pitching to illustrate for Pellicle send a portfolio that was, quite obviously, 100% AI generated. The hubris of these people to call themselves artists. I’d sooner hurl myself into the sun before admitting defeat to this crap.
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Pre-orders will really help support the financial load producing our first print edition of @pelliclemag.com, so if you're able to order ahead of publication we'd really appreciate. I'm also taking wholesale orders, so drop me a line if you'd like to stock it! www.pelliclemag.com/shop/pellicl...
pelliclemag.com
Pellicle — Issue 1: Joy — Pellicle
Pellicle is proud to present our very first print magazine. The inaugural, full-length issue features interviews, essays, long reads, short humour pieces, and much more, all centred on the topic of jo...
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
You absolutely do!
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
I enjoyed this AND Bell’s Two Hearted yesterday. I’m a very happy Matty.
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Draught Firestone Walker pivo it’s been too damn long
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Katie Mather @katiematherkm.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Hey, did I tell you that Pellicle's first ever print magazine is coming out on November 12th? And you can pre-order it now? www.pelliclemag.com/shop/pellicl...
pelliclemag.com
Pellicle — Issue 1: Joy — Pellicle
Pellicle is proud to present our very first print magazine. The inaugural, full-length issue features interviews, essays, long reads, short humour pieces, and much more, all centred on the topic of jo...
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Reposted by Matthew Curtis
Kumail Nanjiani @kumail.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
AI will never be able to make art. Thanks.
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Michael Deakin @caskapital.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
This was a really interesting read, mostly because whilst in Manchester last Thursday, I decided that I actually don't really like going to Cafe Beermoth and that i should stop including it on my usual Manchester pub route. It's good to hear a well-made counterpoint.
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I would like to state I do not own a gilet
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
And in case you haven’t read it yet: www.pelliclemag.com/home/2026/9/...
pelliclemag.com
We’re Going To Be Friends — Café Beermoth in Manchester, England — Pellicle
Today, Café Beermoth is known and loved as a venue that sources exciting beers from independent breweries. But before Beermoth became a café, it was a shop. In February 2013—when its original location...
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
If you enjoyed reading my @pelliclemag.com feature from yesterday about Café Beermoth, then you might also enjoy this short video I shot to accompany it. youtube.com/shorts/MltLM...
youtube.com
Matthew visits his favourite place to drink beer in the world, Manchester’s Café Beermoth.
YouTube video by Pellicle
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Thanks to the best in the biz @clairembullen.bsky.social for your careful edits, and if you like this be sure to check out the accompanying video I made over on Instagram. www.instagram.com/reel/Dd5oAH7...
instagram.com
Instagram
Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you.
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Matthew Curtis @totalcurtis.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Turns out it’s really hard to write about something you care about dearly, but putting this together was a labour of love. Hope I’ve done you justice @cafebeermoth.bsky.social
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Brew York 🗽🚖🌃🏳️‍🌈🍺🇺🇦 @brewyork.beer · 30/09/2026
I’ve spent a lot of time here, some of it even with @totalcurtis.bsky.social!
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