Next winter could be cold

We have discussed this before: Euro MPs will debate whether or not to phase out the use of patio heaters today. A ban on patio heaters would upset thousands of pubs which have invested heavily in heaters for outdoor smoking areas since the ban. Lib Dem MEP Fiona Hall has compiled a report on energy [...]

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Big beers vs small beers I

There is a discussion that has been going on for some time on various beer blogs and in forums like ratebeer about extreme beers vs session beers. Some beer writers and enthusiasts are tired of the imperial stouts and super hoppy IPAs and want to promote the more modest, traditional styles. I have, especially when [...]

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Losing their flip-flops

I was amused by the furious reaction of InBev over the Young’s Pub Company to throw out Stella in favour of other bland lagers. Yes, it’s the pub arm of once proud and independent brewer Young’s of Wandsworth we are talking about. They have decided to to replace Stella with a number of other lager [...]

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Inland tourism

I went with my family to Røros for a long weekend, a town about six hours drive North of Oslo. It’s a beautiful drive up there, but it is a long way to go in the winter when the days are so short. Nothing new when it comes to beer, though I see the beers [...]

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Bologna, anyone?

You were not very helpful when it came to beery places in Riga, ladies and gentlemen. Perhaps you know more about Bologna?

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Does import mean premium?

There is some interesting research being done on the various beer markets, but it usually comes with a hefty price tag. Take the reports from Minte, who have recently published an overview of imported beer in the US market. On their web page you’ll find just the table of contents and an outline, with a [...]

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It’s carnival time

And you can get your outfits from the official Oktoberfest site: Their alternatives for men are not quite as interesting: But they have cuckoo clocks, gingerbread hearts, mugs and glasses and whatever else you fancy. Lots of paper accessories to make your living room into a parody of a biergarten, too. Their cookery book is only [...]

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Riga, anyone?

I try to do some planning. Anyone know of good pubs, beer shops, restaurants, fun places for families to go? Come to think of it, I need to book a hotel as well.

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67 pubs closing every month

I would say it is not my fault, but if we should, for once, believe what we read in the Sunday Mirror, there are 67 pubs in Britain closing every month. Bars are selling 50 million fewer pints of beer a month than they were a year ago. Beer sales dropped by almost 10 per [...]

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The Chesham Arms, Hackney

I am scraping the barrel for London pub reviews now, but I had to give a mention to the Chesham Arms in Hackney. This was a bit tricky to find, hidden snugly away in a back street, but it is not far away from the busy main streets. This is an old fashioned pub without [...]

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