Opinion
Topical articles and pieces from a personal point of view.
Freebies tax could be a gift to indies
In news that will have seen some beer writers crying into their gifted Fuller’s Vintage Ales, HMRC has recently clarified that content creators must d...
Steamed mussels with Burning Sky Petite Farmhouse Beer
When I am researching for these recipes, I try to follow the basic rule to use a beer that is great as both an ingredient and when drunk alongside the...
Small is beautiful
The sale in mid-October of the former Ringwood site in Hampshire to a property developer marks the sad end of a brewery that played a pivotal role in...
Boddingtons is back
I rarely take the opportunity to review a beer properly. However, the recent relaunch of Boddingtons Bitter on cask – brewed in Manchester by JW Lees...
Travel is good but home can be best
I write a lot about the importance of pubs within communities, but the truth is that most of my visits to one are made alone. That’s not to say that I...
Location, location, location...
One of the most difficult concepts in winemaking is 'terroir’ a combination of the type of soil, location and climate. These affect how and what grape...
An Open Letter to the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves, MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer
Dear Chancellor, I am writing to you with a plea to take wide-ranging measures in your Budget to help our struggling pubs. The latest dire prediction...
Veteran breweries celebrate milestone
Born in the USA was released by Bruce Springsteen, the UK miners’ strike ends, EastEnders premieres on the BBC and Roger Moore’s last Bond film, A Vie...
Maybe ask young people
I’m very sceptical when anyone speaks about Gen Z or any demographic cohort with seeming authority. Usually the characteristics of each generation see...
Manchester happening
Manchester felt like it could be the centre of the universe this summer. Thousands of tourists flocked to the city largely to witness and celebrate on...
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