Opinion
Topical articles and pieces from a personal point of view.
Fancy a Bass?
We’re losing pubs, we’re losing breweries and we’re also losing something less tangible – our brewing heritage. With around some 2,000 breweries in op...
Follow the money
When Black Sheep brewery announced it was lining up administrators in May 2023, it showcased the dire market conditions the beer industry presently fi...
It’ll be lonely this Christmas?
A pub in Northern Ireland has gone viral with a low-budget Christmas advert. Charlie’s Bar in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, spent £700 on the ad, which f...
Does Ringwood’s demise prove cask is in decline?
The Carlsberg Marston’s tour of destruction rolls on with the beer-and-pubs juggernaut announcing the closure of its Ringwood plant in Hampshire. Six...
Fresh twist for old beers
Ancient beer styles are being revived to great acclaim and, encouragingly, they are produced by large breweries that are prepared to add small batch a...
Inside the Bass House
I read the story of Vic Long this month. He was celebrating his 50th anniversary behind the bar at the Ship Inn in Portishead, Somerset. Some of the r...
Reverse ABV creep and why it’s happening
In August 2023 the British government launched an overhauled alcohol duty system, affecting all UK producers of beverages from wine and spirits, to be...
Is Steel City still world’s real ale capital?
Beer writer Pete Brown is revisiting his 2016 BEER report, with an updated version to be launched during Sheffield Beer Week 2024 (4-10 March). The or...
Mixed fortunes for cask beer
The new owners of Parish brewery, Bruce Cooper and Charlie Gamble, will warm the proverbial cockles of your heart. They’ve bought the company in Burro...
The golden age of cider and perry
It was with great pleasure that I attended the inaugural Artisan Cheese and  Cider Summit at Little Pomona just outside Bromyard recently. It was one...
view archive
view events