We started the month in Manchester, where Alex equalled his previous half marathon PB, then we spent two weeks in Samos (with a two-day mini-break to Patmos). We rounded off the month with a couple of beers in Leeds for Light Night, a selection of Welbeck beers and a few drinks with friends.
Here’s a rundown of our favourite new brews for October 2026.
Every Minute Matters by Siren (Wokingham, UK)
IPA 7.2%
We took a couple of cans of this beer on holiday, just in case we didn’t manage to find a new brew on either of the Thursdays. We needn’t have worried as Samos beer had plenty on offer, but we drank this anyway, and it was a bloody good beer.
Brewer’s note: This was the first California IPA we ever made, and it's been a game changer for our range. With the name referencing a very particular hop addition schedule, Every Minute Matters is crisp, clean and refreshing.
Brewer’s website: Siren Craft Beer
ONEIPA by Samos Beer (Samos, Greece)
New England IPA 6%
Considering this Samos microbrewery has to import all their ingredients, they make some really good beers. This was one of several brews we tried at their brewery and taproom. It was an excellent IPA with lots of flavour.
Brewer’s website: Samos Beer
Pothos by Samos Beer (Samos, Greece)
Imperial Stout 8.6%
Unfortunately, the stout they had on tap when we first arrived sold out, so we decided to take a couple of cans home with us instead, and we’re glad we did. This was a delicious porter. Lots of coffee and chocolate flavours, and very smooth.
Brewer’s website: Samos Beer
Power Sappingly Mundane by Pomona Island (Manchester, UK)
Fruited Gose 5.5%
After Alex completed the Manchester Half, we got coffee and food, then headed to Northwestward Ho for a few beers. This one was a lovely, tart sour with lots of fruity flavours. It went down a little too easily.
Brewer’s note: A Blackcurrant, Raspberry & Redcurrant Gose.
Brewer’s website: Pomona Island Brew Co
BEER OF THE MONTH
I’m With You Derek by Pomona Island (Manchester, UK)
Smoothie Sour 5%
I know the beer purists would probably shun this smoothie sour, but it was absolutely delicious. Imagine an alcoholic Innocent Smoothie with lots of coconut flavour, and that’s pretty much what this tasted like. Yummy!
Brewer’s note: Brewed in collaboration with Rivington Brewing Co, for Farm Trip 2026.Intense aromas of coconut, strawberries and cream. It drinks deep and thick with sweet strawberry, coconut cream and hints of raspberry, bourbon and vanilla.
Brewer’s website: Pomona Island Brew Co
Honourable mention
These new brews didn’t quite make it into our top five, but we still feel they are worth a mention.
Porter by Bridgehouse Brewery (Keighley, Yorkshire, UK)
Porter 4.5%
We had a little bit of time to kill in Leeds train station, so we popped our heads into Wetherspoons to see what they had on, and it just so happened they had a range of cask beers from a brewery we’ve never tried before. We opted for this porter, and it was lovely. We wish we could have stayed longer to try a few more of their beers.
Brewer’s note: Ruby coloured ale with strong toffee and malt flavours. Very smooth with a long-lasting aftertaste.
Brewer’s website: Bridgehouse Brewery
Revisited
Not a new brew but a beer we’ve revisited recently because it’s one of our favourites.
Pale Fire by Pressure Drop (London, UK)
Pale Ale 4.8%
We tried this back in January, and it was a solid pale ale with a not-ridiculously-high ABV, so when Alex saw it on offer in Marks & Spencer, he picked up a couple more cans for us.
Brewer’s note: Our house pale ale delivers plenty of hop character. Drink fresh!
Brewer’s website: Pressure Drop Brewing
