Book Reviews

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

Phil Mellows and Kate Simon have compiled a brilliant book that celebrates some fine British pubs along with places to stay and visit throughout the country, This is a great contribution to supporting and saving community pubs at a time when so many are closing

Added: Thursday, March 20th 2025

Hertfordshire grows fine grain for brewing and the county once had a multitude of malting companies. Now there's only one and McMullen is the last remaining major commercial brewer. But in his new book, Martyn Cornell reports there are now a number of new craft breweries using grain from the eastern counties

Added: Monday, March 10th 2025

Adrian Tierney-Jones has written a remarkable book that's more than a pub guide. It charts the way in which pubs change to reflect the changing seasons, busy with visitors in summer but relying on locals in the colder months.

Added: Monday, January 20th 2025

A new book on home brewing by Andy Parker and Jamil Zainasheef will help beer lovers to create great beers at home. The book is packed with vital information about malt, hops, yeast and water and advises on the best equipment to use to get the finest results

Added: Thursday, January 2nd 2025

In a major study of the history of women brewers, Dr Christina Wade shows how the Black Death of the 14th century diminished their role and men came to dominate commercial beer making. But today many more women are running breweries and they ae supported by women writers and lecturers.

Added: Friday, September 6th 2024

Matthew Curtis has written and photographed a fine new guide to the bars, pubs and breweries of Manchester and has linked them to the city's long history of brewing. Several old family breweries have survived and they have been joined by a host of new small producers in recent years. The enjoyment of beer in the city is heightened by the many superb pubs, both ancient and modern

Added: Saturday, November 18th 2023

David Jesudason has written a remarkable guide to desi pubs that offer not only good beer and exceptional food but are also at the vanguard of combatting racism in society. He has found pubs that once operated all-white colour bars but now welcome people from all ethnic backgrounds and offer food with its roots in Asian culture and history.

Added: Sunday, June 11th 2023