Opinion
Topical articles and pieces from a personal point of view.
Is everything okay with Adnams?
I often think about Adnams beers with fondness. The Southwold-based brewer has a particular knack for making delicious cask ales with a rich barley ma...
A bitter sweet symphony
It’s June 1997, and The Verve released their hit single Bitter Sweet Symphony. It is really quite a bleak song to be honest, but the title perfectly c...
Keeping balance in a bitter world
I’m conscious that I use the word “balance” a lot when I’m writing about beer. It’s not because I lack the ability to stand on two feet or am apt to f...
When is a pub not a pub?
I’m fascinated by pubs. One of the main reasons I love them so much is because they are all different (not counting the dull repetition of bland chain...
Licensing hours bill progress
In January, my Licensing Hours Extension Bill moved another step closer to becoming an Act of Parliament, passing its second reading. The bill will en...
Adnams’ arrow in the heart
You can tell things are getting serious when Adnams says it has financial problems and urgently needs fresh investment. A threat to the future of any...
So long, Meantime, I barely knew you
By the time the plucky, Bavarian-trained brewmaster Alistair Hook left his position at ill-fated Manchester restaurant Mash and Air to set up Meantime...
St Patrick’s Day Irish stew with Titanic Stout
Will you be celebrating St Patrick’s Day with a couple of pints of stout and a hearty bowl of Irish stew? A couple of hundred years ago Beamish was by...
Digital breweries
It’s easier than ever before to connect with the people who make our beer thanks to the internet. It’s a way for breweries to tell us their stories, t...
Venison casserole with cherry beer and cheesy dumplings
Slow-cooked casseroles, stews and braises are a personal favourite as they develop layers of flavour. This venison casserole is cooked with root veget...
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