How Small Beer Are Brewing a Mid-Strength Revolution | Felix James

What happens when biology meets brewing? Felix James, co-founder and head brewer at Small Beer, reveals how a childhood fascination with microorganisms blossomed into creating revolutionary beers that challenge industry norms. From watching yeast fill balloons with carbon dioxide as a four-year-old to designing a brewery from scratch that manufacturers initially claimed "wouldn't brew beer," Felix's journey embodies scientific curiosity and entrepreneurial courage.

Felix shares surprising insights about brewing quality, explaining why creating flawless lagers presents greater challenges than complex craft beers. "People think of Budweiser as tasteless," he notes, "but they're extreme about their approach to taste because their beer is so mild that it's extremely easy to detect any off-flavours." This unexpected lesson from his corporate brewing experience alongside traditional craft knowledge formed the foundation for Small Beer's innovation.

The most fascinating revelation comes in understanding how Small Beer creates sub-2.8% beers with full flavour profiles. Rather than producing "watered-down" versions of stronger beers, Felix completely reimagined the brewing process. "What we do is turn grain into as much flavour as possible with a moderate level of alcohol," he explains. This approach, combined with custom-designed equipment that breaks brewing conventions, delivers the taste experience of a 4-5% beer at half the strength.

Beyond taste, Small Beer sits below the diuretic limit—meaning you hydrate rather than dehydrate while drinking—and minimally disrupts sleep compared to full-strength alternatives. Felix introduces "coasting," maintaining a pleasant buzz without the negative effects of stronger drinks, as an alternative to "zebra striping" between alcoholic and non-alcoholic options.

Whether you're a brewing enthusiast, entrepreneur, or simply someone who enjoys beer but dislikes hangovers, this conversation offers compelling insights into how challenging industry assumptions can create something revolutionary. Try Small Beer's Lager (2.1%) or Hazy in Waitrose, Ocado, Majestic Wines, and M&S from June 18th.

To listen to the podcast, please head:

Apple Podcast

Spotify Podcast