Beer News

Feature

Taste of history: ale brewed for the Arctic

When some bottles of beer were discovered in the cellars of the former Allsopps' brewery in Burton-on-Trent they turned out be to Arctic Ale, brewed in 1875. They had been produced for the crew of ships sent by Queen Victoria to find the survivors of an earlier attempt to navigate the North West Passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific. When a small group assembled in Burton in 2011 the key question was: "Will the beer be drinkable?"

Added: Monday, May 11th 2020

Feature

How a little yeast gives beer some bottle

Are bottle-conditioned beers better than beers that have been filtered? The evidence says Yes. Not only are modern beers with live yeast more flavourful but some beers more than 100 years old remain in fine drinking condition as a result of secondary fermentation in bottle, as a tasting of old Bass "corkers" (pictured) proved

Added: Saturday, May 9th 2020

Feature

It's Curious -- a great British lager

Great lager beers come from Central Europe while Britain is saddled with the mass-produced brews produced by global brewers. But small independent brewers in Britain are now making some fine interpretations of the style -- and king of the heap is Curious Brew, which uses wine techniques including Champagne yeast

Added: Thursday, May 7th 2020

News

Brewers come to the aid of the NHS

Brewers in East London and Somerset are launching special initiatives to back the hard-press NHS during the coronavirus crisis. Signature Brew, who specialise in collaboration beers with rock bands, has produced Nightingale Pale Ale, with £1 from each can going to the NHS. Pitchfork plans a virtual beer festival with again part of the proceeds going to the health service.

Added: Wednesday, April 29th 2020

News

Sam Smith's horses deliver beer at home

The usually secretive Yorkshire brewer Sam Smith's is up front and out on the streets, using its traditional horse-drawn drays to deliver bottled beers to people locked in doors and unable to go to the pub

Added: Wednesday, April 15th 2020

Comment

Lockdown: what to do with waste beer

Publicans and brewers are worried over what to do with unused beer during the coronavirus lockdown and closed pubs -- can they claim back for lost sales and pre-paid duty? The chairman of a leading regional brewer offers his advice

Added: Sunday, April 5th 2020

Comment

A pint of Landlord gives hope for cask

Should cask beer be treated as a premium product, as suggested by James Calder, the chief executive of SIBA, the Society of Independent Brewers? A pint of Taylor's Landlord at £3.50 in a backstreet pub in Dartford, Kent, keeps in the reach of people on low incomes.

Added: Monday, March 30th 2020

News

Sainsbury's Six to the rescue

Sainsbury's has come to the rescue of drinkers who can't get to the pub. The supermarket group has launched a range of six beers from craft brewers that are a long way removed from mainstream beers.Several use unusual ingredients and some IPAs are well-hopped with American and Kiwi varieties

Added: Friday, March 20th 2020

News

CAMRA & SIBA in bid to boost beer

The Campaign for Real Ale and the Society of Independent Brewers have joined forces in an attempt to boost pubs and breweries during the corona virus crisis. They will encourage pubs to make meals and beer available for home delivery for people who are forced to self-isolate. CAMRA is also working with Crowdfunder to help raise much-needed income for pubs

Added: Thursday, March 19th 2020

News

Take-home beers beat the virus blues

Hog Star Brewery in Tongham, Surrey, has launched a special take-home service for customers who can't get to the pub during the corona crisis. It's a drive through service where customers stay in their cars while beer is packed into their boots by members of staff who keep a safe distance. Beers include the best-selling TEA, Hop Star Lager, and Nirvana Session IPA

Added: Wednesday, March 18th 2020