Real ale brewers face down Heineken in BBPA awards
By: JimOldfield
October 15th, 2012
The shortlist for the British Beer & Pub Association’s first ever awards ceremony has been announced with independent real ale brewers heading the race for the gongs. Among the beer and pub companies vying for the three new accolades – which recognise “exceptional company and individual contributions to the brewing and pub sector” – are Read the full post…
Isle of Arran reprises Brewdog to stage huge expansion plan
By: JimOldfield
September 30th, 2012
Isle of Arran Brewery is hoping to raise £3.8 million this autumn with the first of three share offerings that will make it a PLC and increase beer production TENFOLD. Following the lead of Scottish super-brewer, Brewdog – and using the same lawyers – Isle of Arran plans to raise a total of £10 million Read the full post…
Sheffield ale trails launched
By: JimOldfield
September 30th, 2012
Sheffield’s ongoing bid to be Britain’s real ale capital is being back by a new Real Ale Trails venture, in which beer lovers tour pubs AND breweries. Each trail will take in some of the city’s best beer pubs and include either a brewery tour or a tasting session organised by a local brewer. Local Read the full post…
Beer lover Alan’s 15,000th pint is hand-made for him
By: JimOldfield
September 23rd, 2012
When Geordie beer ticker Alan Stobbs sank his 15,000th real ale, it tasted all the better for the fact that HE had helped brew it! Alan, 64, tours breweries and festivals around the country to sample and make tasting notes on as many beers as he can. And he’s so well-loved at his “local” – Read the full post…
Drink a new ale… save an old ship!
By: JimOldfield
September 23rd, 2012
A campaign to restore the world’s oldest Mersey-built steam ship is helping fund itself by launching… a new ale! The hoppy 4 per cent bitter, Danny, set sail with a launch at the Ferry Boat pub in Runcorn recently, after restorers The Daniel Adamson Preservation Society (DAPS) teamed up with Frodsham Brewery to make the Read the full post…
Danielle’s supper club hosts an ale fe-a-stival!
By: JimOldfield
September 17th, 2012
Beer-matching dinners are to be launched in Bristol, after the local Bishopston Supper Club joined forces with the Bristol Beer Factory. The factory’s head brewer, Chris Kay, has been called in to co-host the weekend ale fe-a-st, on September 28-29. The club was begun by Bristolian Danielle Coombs, who believes that food is a great Read the full post…
New GBG hails UK’s biggest brewers boom in 70 years!
By: JimOldfield
September 13th, 2012
The 40th edition of CAMRA’s drinkers’ bible, the Good Beer Guide is out today – celebrating the highest number of breweries in operation across the country for 70 years! The guide numbers a truly astonishing 1,009 UK breweries – 158 of which opened over the past year to give the greatest rate of opening over Read the full post…
Heart of Oak takes to the plains of Spain!
By: JimOldfield
September 9th, 2012
Spain’s new-found love affair with English ale has lighted on the capital of brewing, Burton-upon-Trent… And the Spaniards will soon be enjoying their own Burton-style ale, after Brit brewer John Saville – from the Burton Old Cottage Beer Company – flew to Madrid to launch a microbrewery there. The idea is the brainchild of Spaniard Read the full post…
Quills in the ink… it’s beer writing award time again!
By: JimOldfield
September 6th, 2012
Calling all you beer writers – it’s time to put down your pint pots and sharpen those quills! The British Guild of Beer Writers has just announced its star panel of judges for this year’s awards. And for those of you still changing your typewriter ribbons, there’s no excuse not to get an effort submitted… Read the full post…
Honey, I drunk the fizz!
By: JimOldfield
September 4th, 2012
Love him or hate him, it seems you can’t knock Barack Obama’s taste in alcoholic drinks. For the American President has taken to home brewing… in his kitchen at the White House! And in the best US traditions of openness, he’s even revealed his secret ale recipes to the nation – with complete brewing instructions Read the full post…
