Author Archive
Wadworth invests in 6X beer delivery system
By: JimOldfield
May 29th, 2012
Wiltshire’s historic Wadworth brewery has invested in an ultra-high-tech system to revolutionise how it delivers its award-winning ales. The 137-year-old brewer has linked a TomTom vehicle tracking system to computer routing software from Paragon Software Systems, to completely automate deliveries to the company’s delivery planning to its 700 outlets across southern and western England. The Read the full post…
Norwich launches giant fest as it bids to be UK’s City of Ale
By: JimOldfield
May 29th, 2012
They love their ale in Norwich – and they’ll be out to prove it on Thursday (May 31) with the start of a 10-day celebration of beer! The city’s second City of Ale event kicks off a summer of celebrations that encompasses the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the Euro championships and the Olympics – and some Read the full post…
MPs celebrate three years of saving Britain’s pubs
By: JimOldfield
May 29th, 2012
The award-winning Ilkley Brewery’s Save the Pub ale has made a return to the House of Commons’ Strangers Bar… to mark the third birthday of the All Party Parliamentary Save the Pub group of MPs. The group, chaired by North West Leeds MP Greg Mulholland, has been lobbying Government to come up with changes to Read the full post…
And the winners are…
By: JimOldfield
May 28th, 2012
It’s that time of season again, when the pub and brewery awards winners come flooding in from CAMRA – and here is a clutch of success stories that have caught Hand-Pumped’s eye. Kelso’s Cobbles Inn won praise in Parliament after taking the title of CAMRA Borders Pub of the Year! The pub was hailed in Read the full post…
Swap Jubilee extended opening hours says pub body
By: JimOldfield
May 28th, 2012
The British Beer and Pub Association is calling for the Government to sanction extended opening hours on next year’s special double Bank Holiday – to give the Queen “the massive national thank you she so richly deserves” on her Diamond Jubilee in June. The BBPA wants later opening on the Sunday and Monday of the Read the full post…
New ‘dinner wine’ ale range from Doom Bar kings Sharp’s
By: JimOldfield
May 27th, 2012
Award-winning Cornish brewer Sharp’s is launching a new premium range of high-strength, bottled beers, specifically designed to complement food. The Connoisseurs Choice comprises three unique new beers – Quadrupel Ale, Single Brew Reserve and Honey Spice Tripel – all hand-crafted by innovative Sharp’s head brewer Stuart Howe. What is more, the new range will be Read the full post…
It takes Brain’s to be has-beans, not has-beens!
By: JimOldfield
May 27th, 2012
Wales’ biggest independent brewer is turning to COFFEE – after posting a 6.2 per cent rise in profits to £4.5m for the trading year to September 2011! Brain’s – famous for the slogan “It’s Brain’s you need” will open 30 coffee shops over three years, to put a total of 50 into South Wales, after Read the full post…
Spring rains could make price of a pint tumble
By: JimOldfield
May 24th, 2012
Finally, there is some good news for real ale brewers… and maybe drinkers too! As the price of a pint continues to soar as a result of beer taxes, it has been announced that the recent heavy rains have caused the international price of malting barley to drop sharply, after an increase in production. Growers Read the full post…
Barflies know best as drinkers’ pub wins out again!
By: JimOldfield
May 22nd, 2012
A pub whose customers took it over on the brink of closure has scooped its local CAMRA Pub of the Year award for the third time in four years. The Hope, in Carshalton, Surrey, was saved by its drinkers in 2010. Since then it has gone from strength to strength – being repeatedly crowned the Read the full post…
Death of inspirational Pale Rider creator Dave Wickett
By: JimOldfield
May 22nd, 2012
Inspirational brewer Dave Wickett, who is credited with founding the Sheffield real ale scene, died last week aged 64, after a two-year battle against bone cancer. Dave founded the award-winning Kelham Island Brewery, whose ales are known across the country – and also owned the equally-famous, adjoining Fat Cat pub in the Kelham Island area Read the full post…
