Book Reviews

Micropubs are a new force on the drinking scene. While traditional pubs close, "pop-up pubs" are filling the gap, opening in a wide variety of empty oultets. Mat Hardy and Dan Murray have trawled the country to list all known micros but it's a shame their work is spoiled by a bilious introduction by Martyn Hillier who uses his space to attack CAMRA

Added: Sunday, March 26th 2017

Two German economists track the frightening rise of Mega Brewer AB InBev, which following its takeover of SABMiller now controls 30% of world beer production. The authors describe the ruthless manner in which the global giant slashes costs by closing breweries and axeing jobs and brands. and it is now turning its attention to the craft beer sector...

Added: Saturday, November 26th 2016

Tim Hampson's 101 Beer Days Out is a treat for beer and pub lovers, taking you on a tour of Britain and encompassing not only great pubs, but breweries, museums and hop festivals too. It's proof that beer drinking and brewing are deeply rooted in Britain's way of life

Added: Wednesday, September 21st 2016

Geoff Brandwood sings the praises of Britain's pubs with interiors of historic importance. As well as opulent pubs in major cities, the book also details simple ale houses built to refresh working people. The book is not only a joy to read but is also a call to arms to spare no effort in supporting our great pubs, such as the Crown in Liverpool.

Added: Saturday, August 27th 2016

In The Pub, Pete Brown has written a lyrical love song to a great British institution, in all its manifestations, from ancient ale house to Victorian gin palace and modern micro-pub. He traces the history of the pub and pub names and lists hostelries of all shapes and sizes united by good beer.

Added: Thursday, August 18th 2016

Burton-based Ian Webster has written a fascinating history of Allsopp's and Ind Coope, two breweries that played a pivotal role in the IPA revolution. Both breweries disappeared during the merger mania of the late 20th century but Ian Webster has turned the spotlight on their critical part in Burton's brewing history.

Added: Sunday, January 3rd 2016

In his new book, So You Want To Be a Beer Expert?, Jeff Evans takes beer lovers old and new through the history of brewing, how beer is made and the proliferating range of styles now available. It's a book that will inform new drinkers but experienced tipplers will gain much from its pages

Added: Monday, October 26th 2015

Canadian beer writer Stephen Beaumont has toured the world in search of both good beer and good food. In a sumptuous delight of a book, he traces the history of beer, its raw materials, the rise and fall of matching beer with food and the 21st century renaissance that sees top chefs organising beer and food pairing and using beer in their dishes

Added: Thursday, October 15th 2015

London was once dubbed a 'beer desert' but it has recovered from the days of manic takeovers to offer drinkers a vast choice of good beers and modern bars alongside traditional boozers. In a new edition of his CAMRA guide, Des de Moor relishes the revival of brewing in the capital city

Added: Wednesday, July 15th 2015

CAMRA's Pubs Heritage Group has produced a superb, full-colour guide to the astonishing collection of pubs in the Midlands -- from the Welsh border to the Wash -- that recall the hey-day of pub design and building in the 19th and 20th centuries, leaving us a legacy of great drinking places. As well as Art Nouveau emporia there are simple ale houses such as the Coopers Tavern (left) in Burton-on-Trent

Added: Sunday, April 26th 2015