Protz On Beer, by Roger Protz

Comment

Indie success blasts globals cask claims

Global brewers say demand for cask beer has fallen, forcing them to close breweries. But a growing number of independents say they are brewing back to pre-Covid levels and even beyond that. The successful indies include Bathams in the Black Country, who brew at the Vine pub (pictured). Demand for their Bitter is so high they deliver to some pubs in 54-gallon hogsheads

Added: Sunday, July 6th 2025

Review

Festivals: beer, skittles, fun and frolics

Laura Hadland has written a superbly researched book on the history of British beer festivals. They go back to the 19th century and they were not without controversy, including topless models. CAMRA festivals started in the 1970s and have become the benchmark for today's events, with not only good beer but also food and entertainment

Added: Tuesday, June 24th 2025

News

Brooklyn brewmaster's Union Mild

Garrett Oliver, the legendary brewmaster at the Brooklyn Brewery in New York City, has brewed a special strong dark mild using the Union set at Thornbridge Brewery. Sales of the beer will support the Michael James Jackson Foundation, created by Garrett to help people of colour working in the brewing and distilling industries.

Added: Tuesday, June 17th 2025

News

Badger beer marks key family member

Hall & Woodhouse, the Dorset brewery famous for Badger beers, is producing a series of Founders Day beers to commemorate members of the Woodhouse family. The brewery will celebrate 250 years of brewing in 2027. The new beer, Frank's Integrity, salutes Frank Woodhouse, who worked at the brewery for close to 60 years and was chairman for a period.

Added: Tuesday, June 10th 2025

Comment

Martyn Cornell: brilliant beer historian

Martyn Cornell, a brilliant beer writer, researcher and historian of brewing, has died suddenly aged 72. He is pictured above left with his brother Dave. Martyn spent many years researching the origins of beer styles, in particular porter and stout from the 18th century. His blog Zythophile was a must-read for all lovers of beer. He died on the eve of a major new book on the history and revival of porter and stout

Added: Friday, June 6th 2025