Beer News

Feature

Magna Carta ales: a toast to liberty

As celebrations get underway to commemorate the signing of Magna Carta 800 years ago, breweries have produced special beers to mark the occasion. Some use medieval recipes to incorporate such ingredients as rosemary, yarrow and other herbs and spices added at a time when hops were not available or were unknown

Added: Sunday, June 14th 2015

Feature

Home brewers are cutting with the grain

Posy Parsons (left) and Claire Russell are bringing full-mash and full-grain brewing to the home with easy to use kits that offer malted barley and hop pellets rather than syrups. They hail from the U.S. and Australia respectively where they fought their way through the fizz to discover good beer and brought their passion to the UK.

Added: Thursday, June 4th 2015

News

Pale ales triumph in major pub group

Nicholson's, the 80-strong chain of historic pubs located throughout the UK, has seen a dramatic increase of 27% in the consumption of golden and pale ales. Nicholson's -- part of the Mitchells & Butlers group -- says many younger drinkers moving from lager find golden and pale ales appealing. But its biggest-selling style is still amber-coloured bitter

Added: Thursday, May 28th 2015

News

M&S launches new British beer range

Marks & Spencer has launched a new range of bottled beers from leading brewers. While the beers are "own label", the name of each brewery is clearly identified on the labels. Several of the beers feature British malts and hops.

Added: Monday, May 25th 2015

News

Flying Dog 'session IPA' says take it easy

Flying Dog, the American brewery famous for its powerful IPAs and Porter, has scaled down with its Easy IPA at 4.7%. But the brewery inspired by "gonzo journalist" Hunter S Thompson, with labels drawn by thel British satirical artist Ralph Steadman, stays true to its roots with a beer rich in hop and malt character

Added: Sunday, May 17th 2015

Comment

Mild: it's not as dead as the Dodo

An article in Guardian Online by Tony Naylor suggested that Mild ale was in such steep decline that CAMRA's Mild Month promotion was a waste of time. But there's life in the style yet, with many more brewers producing it. Simon Yates of Banks's Brewery (pictured) thinks Mild will be rediscovered -- and his brewery is the biggest producer of Mild in the world

Added: Wednesday, May 13th 2015

News

Italian monks' beer given Trappist approval

The Tre Fontane -- Three Fountains -- abbey in Rome has been officially recognised as the 11th Trappist brewery. The monks' 8.5% ale was launched this month with eucalyptus leaves added to the brew.

Added: Tuesday, May 12th 2015

Guest Column

It's Magna Carta time for British beer

Beer Sommelier Jane Peyton calls on all beer lovers to join the festivities starting on 15 June to celebrate Britain's national drink. She has chosen that date as it also marks the signing of Magna Carta, which supported English ale

Added: Tuesday, May 5th 2015

News

Hogs Back IPA goes back to English roots

Fast-growing independent brewery Hogs Back in Surrey has launched an IPA, Hopping Hog -- its first ale in keg format. It will also be available in cask and bottle. Brewery owner Rupert Thompson says Hopping Hog is a traditional English version of IPA while he acknowledges that American craft brewers have helped revive the style world-wide with their passion for the beer

Added: Monday, May 4th 2015

News

Hat trick for U.S. brewer in world awards

Deschutes Brewery from Oregon, United States, scooped three Golds in the International Beer and Cider Awards, announced at London's Guildhall. Other winners included Oakham and Marston's from Britain and Clonmel from Ireland. Pictured are the winners outside the Guildhall

Added: Thursday, April 30th 2015