Opinion
Topical articles and pieces from a personal point of view.
You always hurt the one you love
The prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, told the Daily Mirror he supported their campaign to save the country’s pubs as he recognised they were at the h...
Wheeling out the sexist tropes
As some of you will know, I’ve just finished writing a book on beer festivals (available through CAMRA Books from 8 May). As a result, I’m naturally a...
Seafood boil
The recent spell of sunshine certainly seemed to put a smile on everyone’s faces and it got me thinking of one of my all-time top dishes to eat outsid...
Missed opportunity
Heineken returning its cherished Beamish Irish stout to British pubs is unlikely to come as a surprise to anyone not living under a rock at the moment...
Can beer break Britain?
Well according to something called an AI Overview (thanks Mr Google), the answer is “Beer is part of the British culture and economy, and it's unlikel...
Ask a silly question…
The gentle hubbub of voices rises to greet me as I walk into the Malt Shovel. The fire is lit to ward off the February cold and the small, two-roomed...
Robust stout revival
When Cairngorm brewery stormed to victory with its Black Gold in CAMRA’s Champion Winter Beer competition it was further evidence of the astonishing r...
Brewer’s goulash
Fans of history will be well aware of the shifting state of borders and allegiances across Central Europe. Kingdoms, states and principalities came an...
A way forward
Everything is finite, and all good things must come to an end. Most people understand this, even if only subconsciously, and it’s why I think we cling...
Reflections on announcing CAMRA competition results
Announcing the results of Champion Beer of Britain competitions can be a high-risk activity. I still recall with a shiver the occasion when I told the...
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