UnTapped 2025 is here, and our Super Seven finalists are thirsty for success!

Every year, we issue a challenge to HIT’s budding beer brewmasters: can they create a beer that’s so unique, so refreshing and so personal to their own brewing story that it – quite literally – raises the bar?

That’s the ethos behind UnTapped, a one-of-a-kind competition that pits apprentice brewers head-to-head in the ultimate showdown. 

Open to those currently participating in our Level 4 Brewer programme, UnTapped is a national stage for the next generation of brewing talent. The competition celebrates innovation, creativity, and passion for the craft, before crowning the overall winner as the 2025 UnTapped Brewer of the Year. 

The competition has been fierce so far, with brewers from across the UK entering at the preliminary Into the Mash Tun round. But now, we’re down to the Super Seven – the finalists whose beautiful beverages will be imbibed at a live tasting showdown.

More than a simple test of technical knowledge, UnTapped challenges budding brewers to design an original recipe beer that captures not only flavour and balance but also the story behind their brewing journey. Usually, the final comprises a Super Six. This year, however, the standard was so high that a Super Seven was selected to go forward to the final. 

That seven will be judged on provenance, character, and originality. Then, they’ll put the finalists’ creations to the test on aroma, appearance, balance, and mouthfeel. Let’s meet the finalists and see what they will be offering up!

Olivia Lamley | Powder Monkey Brewing Co. | Bootleg Pale Ale

Olivia Lamley’s Bootleg Pale Ale is a bold statement about the power of British hops. This 5.0% pale ale is a tropical flavour bomb, bursting with juicy citrus and soft, fruit-forward character, proving that UK-grown hops can rival their American cousins. Balanced with a subtle bitterness and a smooth body, it’s an easy-drinking yet complex creation designed to shine on the national stage.

Olivia’s brewing journey began during a gap year job at Powder Monkey Taphouse, where her interest was sparked by conversations with Head Brewer Mark, himself a Biochemist. Inspired, Olivia pursued a degree in Biochemistry, and her passion for brewing has only deepened. She is now committed to pushing her skills further. She recently joined a Women in Beer mentorship to refine her tasting ability and work towards becoming a beer judge.

Driven, ambitious, and brimming with creativity, Olivia is already proving herself as one to watch in the brewing world. With Bootleg Pale Ale, she’s putting British hops back in the spotlight.

Anthony Plant | Green Duck Brewery | Encouraging Sign

Anthony Plant’s entry, Encouraging Sign, is a 5% golden ale with a biscuit-led malt backbone and subtle grapefruit undertones. It’s a brew designed for balance, drinkability, and character. Anthony wanted to reflect his decade of experience in the trade, while also showcasing his drive to push his craft in new directions.

Anthony’s journey began when he left the hospitality sector and joined Craddock’s Brewery in Stourbridge. Over seven years, he honed his skills on their 8bbl kit before moving to Green Duck Brewery to further develop as a brewer. Now completing his level 4 brewing apprenticeship, Anthony is blending traditional technique with modern creativity.

With ambitions to one day brew abroad in the USA or Australia, and to pass on his knowledge to the next generation of brewers, Anthony’s story is one of dedication and inspiration. Encouraging Sign represents his passion for producing beers that are as rewarding to make as they are to drink.

Joseph Woods | Resting Devil Brewery | Beelzebub

With its playful name and powerful profile, Joseph Woods’ Beelzebub is a 5% American pale ale designed to impress. Built on a foundation of extra pale ale malt, wheat, oats and cara, this beer glows at 10 EBC and balances a 25 IBU bitterness with clean drinkability. Expect vibrant tropical bursts of pineapple, mango, and stone fruit, amplified by US-05 yeast for a crisp, modern finish.

Joseph’s path into brewing wasn’t a straight line. He first joined Resting Devil Brewery to help with sales and deliveries, but his curiosity about the brewing process soon pulled him into the brewhouse. After shadowing and assisting Head Brewer Josh, Joseph fell in love with the craft, captivated by the way science and creativity merge to produce endless possibilities in beer.

Now, as an apprentice, Joseph is determined to gain a distinction and prove himself on a bigger stage. He dreams of developing beers beloved in his community while also exploring global brewing traditions and even contributing to hop development programmes. With Beelzebub, could Joseph become the true heir to the Resting Devil?

Cameron O’Neil | Shipstone’s Beer Company | Aurora Cave 

Cameron O’Neil’s Aurora Cave is a 5% gluten-free pale ale that’s as thoughtful as it is flavourful. Named after a New Zealand cave, and inspired by Aurora, goddess of dawn, this beer celebrates new beginnings and sustainability in brewing. Brewed with Nelson Sauvin and Galaxy hops, it heroes white grape, passionfruit, and citrus. It’s also lifted by a delicate chamomile infusion that gives it some floral, honeyed notes.

Cameron’s brewing journey began nine years ago when he started homebrewing with his mum. That early curiosity blossomed into a deep appreciation for beer’s technical and cultural richness, particularly Belgian traditions. On his level 4 apprenticeship, Cameron has brought that passion into professional brewing, combining technical skill with a drive for innovation.

Determined to make brewing more inclusive and accessible, he is committed to creating vegan and gluten-free beers that stand tall on taste and quality. Aurora Cave is not just a beer. It’s Cameron’s vision for a brighter, more thoughtful brewing future.

Adam Ratcliffe | Beartown Brewery | Hop Slap IPA

With Hop Slap IPA, Adam Ratcliffe pays tribute to the roots of India Pale Ale. Bright, sparkling, and heavily hopped, this robust 18th century-inspired beer carries a bold bitterness and dry finish. It’s a true reimagining of a classic style for modern drinkers.

Adam’s road into brewing has been anything but ordinary. After two decades in sales and business development, the grind of targets and stress pushed him to look for something completely different. A late-night job ad for a brewery operative role changed everything. What started with washing casks quickly grew into hands-on brewing, and within two years Adam was fully immersed in his apprenticeship at Beartown.

Now halfway through his training, Adam is thriving in his new career. He’s motivated by the creativity, teamwork, and craft of brewing, with ambitions to keep developing his skills and even take up homebrewing as a hobby. Adam truly is proof that it’s never too late to start fresh, and Hop Slap IPA is his bold, flavourful declaration of belonging in the brewing world.

Craig Sallabank | Magpie Brewery | Hazy Jay

Craig Sallabank’s Hazy Jay is a modern twist on a classic IPA. With a protein-heavy grist for body, biotransformative yeast for complexity, and a blend of English and American hops, it delivers the juicy haze that today’s drinkers crave. It’s soft, flavourful, and bursting with character.

Craig’s journey began during lockdown with a simple homebrew kit. Within 18 months, he’d gone from experimenting in the kitchen to running a 20bbl brewery at Magpie. Along the way, he co-founded Nottingham’s Place to Brew homebrew club, which now boasts dozens of members, and won the Hop Idol competition with a Witbier recipe scaled up for cans and kegs.

Driven by both ambition and community spirit, Craig also co-founded Mardy Bum Brew Co. to create small-batch premium craft beers. It’s a project he hopes to revisit in the future. His rapid rise reflects not only raw talent but also a relentless curiosity and passion for brewing. Hazy Jay captures that same energy: bold, fresh, and impossible to ignore.

Tom Smith | Shepherd Neame Brewery | Zest of Aotearoa

Tom Smith’s Zest of Aotearoa is a vibrant 5% New Zealand Pale Ale that celebrates the unique character of southern hemisphere hops. Kohatu, Motueka, Wakatu, and Wai-iti bring lime, stone fruit, and fresh herbal notes, while a touch of lime zest lifts the beer with refreshing brightness. A soft, hazy body of ale malt, oats, and wheat balances it all, and creates a beer that’s as drinkable as it is distinctive.

Tom’s passion for brewing grew out of his love of travel. Exploring beers across the globe opened his eyes to the diversity of flavour and sparked a curiosity that became a career. While in New Zealand, a chance encounter with a brewer confirmed that this was the path he wanted to take.

Now working at Shepherd Neame, Tom is eager to learn from brewers across the UK and internationally, soaking up knowledge and techniques wherever he can. Enthusiastic, sociable, and endlessly curious, Tom is committed to making his mark in the brewing world. With Zest of Aotearoa, he’s already capturing the spirit of discovery that first drew him to beer.

A truly super-skilled seven

From bold reimaginings of classic styles to innovative gluten-free creations and hop-forward modern pales, this year’s Super Seven showcase the creativity, passion, and ambition driving the next generation of brewers. Each finalist has brought not only technical skill, but also personal stories of resilience, discovery, and a deep love for the craft. 

Together, they represent the future of brewing in the UK – one that is inventive, collaborative, and unafraid to push boundaries. On 23rd October at the iconic Albert Hall Conference Centre in Nottingham, the spotlight will shine upon one talented brewer who will be crowned UnTapped Brewer of the Year 2025. Who will take the title? Raise your glass – it’s going to be one to celebrate!