Copyright (c) 2026 Protz On Beer, by Roger Protz https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features en-gb Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:28:00 GMT Ted Bruning, who has died aged 68, was a leading writer on beer, breweries and pubs. He worked for the trade paper the Morning Advertiser and was then assistant editor and editor of CAMRA's paper What's Brewing. He wrote a number of books including the Microbrewers' Handbook and Historic Inns of England. Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:28:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2026/03/04/ted-bruning-sad-loss-of-fine-writer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2026/03/04/ted-bruning-sad-loss-of-fine-writer Dougal Sharp (left), founder of Innis & Gunn, has joined forces with Jamie Allsopp to recreate a historic beer from the 19th century. Jamie is a direct descendant of the great Burton brewer Samuel Allsopp who made a special Arctic Ale for a British expedition to the North Pole in 1875. A bottle of the beer was found in Shropshire and was used in the new version Fri, 16 Jan 2026 09:48:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2026/01/16/arctic-ale-comes-in-from-the-cold https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2026/01/16/arctic-ale-comes-in-from-the-cold Great interest is being shown by independent brewers in Porter and Stout, beer styles from the 18th century. Both Hook Norton in Oxfordshire and Heritage Brewery in Burton-on-Trent have produced versions of stout based on original recipes. Hook Norton's version is aged in oak casks for 18 months while Heritage P2 is based on Bass's P2 Export Stout sent to Russia and the Baltic States. Sun, 11 Jan 2026 12:36:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2026/01/11/brewers-recall-hey-day-of-stout https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2026/01/11/brewers-recall-hey-day-of-stout The Open Gate Brewery in Covent Garden restores brewing to central London. Guinness has spent £73m on the centre that includes a 20,000-barrel brewery producing a wide range of beer including Porter that was once brewed on the site by Combe in the 18th and 19th centuries Sun, 21 Dec 2025 13:34:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2025/12/21/guinness-brings-brewing-back-to-london https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2025/12/21/guinness-brings-brewing-back-to-london It's that time of year when Santa gets stuck up the chimney after too many Christmas beers. Here is a fine selection of some of the beers available this year Mon, 08 Dec 2025 11:53:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2025/12/08/xmas-beer-let-it-flow-let-it-flow https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2025/12/08/xmas-beer-let-it-flow-let-it-flow The Chiltern Brewery has done Roger Protz the great honour of producing a special edition of its Bodgers Barley Wine called Roger's Bodgers. It's brewed with Maris Otter malting barley grown on the Rothschild's Waddeson Estate using regenerative farming that avoids fertilisers and agri-chemicals. Pictured Tom Jenkinson of Chiltern Brewery with the writer on the right. Tue, 15 Apr 2025 17:24:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2025/04/15/roger-honoured-to-become-a-bodger https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2025/04/15/roger-honoured-to-become-a-bodger Jamie Allsopp, a descendant of the great Burton brewer Samuel Allsopp, has found recipes for IPA and Pale Ale from the 19th century and recreated them along with the famous/infamous keg beer Double Diamond. The beers are on sale at Jamie's pub, the Blue Stoops in Notting Hill, London. The pub takes its name from Allsopp's first tavern in Burton. Sun, 02 Feb 2025 16:57:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2025/02/02/allsopps-keeping-beers-in-burton-family https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2025/02/02/allsopps-keeping-beers-in-burton-family A superb range of beers for the festive season that make great companions for food or as stand-along drinks. The selection is from home and from Belgium Sat, 14 Dec 2024 14:32:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2024/12/14/santa-it-s-time-to-get-the-beers-in https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2024/12/14/santa-it-s-time-to-get-the-beers-in Thomas Hardy's Ale has had a turbulent history like one of the author's Wessex novels. First brewed by Eldridge Pope in Dorchester, it moved to O'Hanlon's and then Meantime breweries, The classic English barley wine is now owned by an Italian drinks business and a new edition has been brewed by Hepworth in Sussex. Sun, 24 Nov 2024 13:18:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2024/11/24/thomas-hardy-return-of-the-native https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2024/11/24/thomas-hardy-return-of-the-native The launch of Fuller's Vintage Ale 2024 is a cause for celebration, greeted by beer lovers in common with wine buffs' welcome for the latest Bordeaux vintage. It's bottle conditioned, meaning it will age and improve due to live yeast. Vintage has been joined by a new bottle-conditioned beer, The Union, from the Thornbridge Brewery using their restored and revived Burton Union system Mon, 30 Sep 2024 12:34:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2024/09/30/corkers-let-beer-breathe https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2024/09/30/corkers-let-beer-breathe Emma Cole and Al Wall have restarted brewing at Burton Bridge in Burton-on-Trent and they continue to make the beers launched by the late Geoff Mumford. They also brew the beers from the Heritage Brewery that was forced to move when Molson Coors closed the National Brewery Centre Wed, 11 Sep 2024 17:07:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2024/09/11/burton-bridge-saving-beer-s-heritage https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2024/09/11/burton-bridge-saving-beer-s-heritage Jacob Collier has been the MP for Burton-on-Trent for only a few weeks but he's busy on the beer and brewery front. He's held a meeting wit Carlsberg to discuss the future for Marston's Brewery in the town and he's also joined the campaign to find a new home for the brewery museum, and its valuable artefacts following the closure of the National Brewery Centre Tue, 13 Aug 2024 15:01:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2024/08/13/new-burton-mp-champions-cask https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2024/08/13/new-burton-mp-champions-cask Geoff Mumford (on the right) founded Burton Bridge Brewery in 1982, one of the first small independent breweries. He has died aged 82.He worked with his business partner Bruce Wilkinson and they had both worked for Ind Coope before starting their own brewery. Their beers included Bridge Bitter and the bottled Empire Pale Ale Thu, 01 Aug 2024 11:50:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2024/08/01/geoff-mumford--beer-pioneer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2024/08/01/geoff-mumford--beer-pioneer India Pale Ale has moved on from its Victorian origins. It's now brewed in many parts of the world and recipes vary, but too many versions today are unbalanced. Hops are an important flavouring in beer but the role of malt must not be ignored. Sun, 14 Apr 2024 12:41:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2024/04/14/beer-balance-the-importance-of-malt https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2024/04/14/beer-balance-the-importance-of-malt The festive season is upon us and brewers have produced a fine array of rich and warming brews that will go well with Christmas meals or enjoyed by themselves in front of a roaring fire Thu, 07 Dec 2023 17:13:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2023/12/07/santa-has-a-sackful-of-fine-xmas-beers https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2023/12/07/santa-has-a-sackful-of-fine-xmas-beers Jamie Allsopp, seven times grandson of Samuel Allsopp, has restored the name and the beers of the historic brewer who was the first to make IPA in Burton-on-Trent. Jamie has used original recipes and yeast to make Pale Ale, IPA and Pilsner. The beers are currently brewed by the Kirkstall Brewery in Leeds but Jamie is looking for a site in Burton Mon, 04 Dec 2023 10:49:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2023/12/04/historic-burton-ales-restored-by-grandson https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2023/12/04/historic-burton-ales-restored-by-grandson Gale's Prize Old Ale, a stock ale that's a blend of aged and fresh beer, was revived in 2022 and sold out within 48 hours. It's now owned by Fulller's/Asahi and a new vintage has just been launched, brewed at Meantime in Greenwich. Thu, 23 Nov 2023 15:11:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2023/11/23/classic-stock-ale-makes-record-return https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2023/11/23/classic-stock-ale-makes-record-return The Crossover Blendery on a farm in Hertfordshire is producing a range of beers inspired by the "wild beers" of Belgium, known as lambic and gueuze. Charlie Wood and George Stagg visited the Cantillon lambic brewery in Brussels and were so impressed with the beers they decided to make their own spontaneously fermented beers back home in collaboration with Elgood's Brewery in Wisbech Mon, 30 Oct 2023 15:56:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2023/10/30/wild-beers-come-to-life-down-on-the-farm https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2023/10/30/wild-beers-come-to-life-down-on-the-farm Hammerton's Brewery in North London has restored a link the original Hammerton's in Southwark, south London. The new Hammerton's has launched a stout while its predecessor brewed a number of stouts and porter. Sun, 03 Sep 2023 17:51:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2023/09/03/hammerton-s-historic-stout-london-link https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2023/09/03/hammerton-s-historic-stout-london-link Bill Tidy, the legendary cartoonist, broadcaster and raconteur, has died aged 89. He kept the nation laughing for many years with his strips in the daily Mirror and Private Eye. He will be remembered by CAMRA members for his long-running strip Kegbuster in What's Brewing, in which an ale lover fought such mega brewers as Grotny and Twitbread and their attempts to foist keg beer on drinkers Tue, 21 Mar 2023 14:01:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2023/03/21/bill-tidy-laughing-all-the-way-to-the-pub https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2023/03/21/bill-tidy-laughing-all-the-way-to-the-pub It's possible to enjoy good beer and still give your liver a rest in January. There are some excellent NoLos to be found, including the brilliant Adnams Ghost Ship 0.5% on draught. These beers have come a long way from the days of Barbican and Kaliber that tasted like cold Horlicks. Mon, 16 Jan 2023 15:24:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2023/01/16/how-nolo-can-you-get-in-dry-january https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2023/01/16/how-nolo-can-you-get-in-dry-january Dark Star Brewery in Sussex has launched a new edition of Gale's Prize Old Ale, a rare beer that's a blend of aged and fresh young beer. POA was brewed at Gale's in Hampshire until the brewery closed in 2066. A final batch of the beer was moved to Fuller's in Chiswick and has been used to make occasional new versions of the beer. Henry Kirk at Dark Start hopes it will now become an annual vintage. Mon, 14 Nov 2022 11:09:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2022/11/14/prize-old-ale-dark-star-new-generation https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2022/11/14/prize-old-ale-dark-star-new-generation Scott Wayland, pictured right in the taproom at the Sixpenny Brewery, brews on an former farm in Cranborne, Dorset, where the brewhouse is guarded by Daleks and K9 -- Scott is a former model maker who provided models for Dr Who. He now makes a series of ales sold in free houses in the area and also in the taproom that draws crowds of 250 on music evenings Mon, 22 Aug 2022 09:48:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2022/08/22/hop-on-the-tardis-for-some-dorset-ale https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2022/08/22/hop-on-the-tardis-for-some-dorset-ale Adnams in Southwold, Suffolk, celebrates 150 years of brewing in 2022. It has joined forces with the Sierra Nevada Brewery in California to make a special collaboration beer called Eastern Edge. It's fermented with yeasts from both breweries and uses Cascade and Chinook hops grown in the U.S. and England. Seen at the launch are, left and right, Fergus Fitzgerald and Dan Gooderham of Adnams with Steve Grossman of Sierra Nevada, centre Sun, 08 May 2022 13:04:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2022/05/08/adnams-joins-forces-with-sierra-nevada-to-celebrate-150-years-of-brewing https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2022/05/08/adnams-joins-forces-with-sierra-nevada-to-celebrate-150-years-of-brewing As Adnams celebrates 150 years of brewing in the Suffolk seaside town of Southwold, production director Fergus Fitzgerald has reshaped the beer range with such popular new ales as Mosaic and Ghost Ship. With most beer sold to the free trade, Fergus is producing craft keg as well as cask and has seen Ghost Ship became Adnams' leading beer Mon, 28 Mar 2022 21:44:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2022/03/28/fergus-fitzgerald-the-brewer-making-adnams-fighting-fit-for-the-future https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2022/03/28/fergus-fitzgerald-the-brewer-making-adnams-fighting-fit-for-the-future Following a long battle with here landlords, Carol Ross is now the proud owner of the Roscoe Head in Liverpool, one of only five pubs to be listed in the Good Beer Guide for 50 years. She still bears the scars of her battle to win control of the pub but is now turning her attention to saving cask ale as it's replaced by "craft beer" in many Merseyside pubs Mon, 21 Mar 2022 09:16:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2022/03/21/roscoe-s-carol-the-scars-are-healing https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2022/03/21/roscoe-s-carol-the-scars-are-healing It's 10 years since Dave Wickett, landlord of the famous Fat Cat pub in Sheffield, died. Dave, who also founded Kelham Island Brewery, needed cask beer for the Fat Cat and brought Timothy Taylor Landlord from North Yorkshire. The beer had never been sold outside its immediate area before but its success in Sheffield turned it into a national brand. Thu, 10 Mar 2022 12:59:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2022/03/10/how-sheffield-pub-boosted-landlord https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2022/03/10/how-sheffield-pub-boosted-landlord Charlene Lyons, chief executive of Black Sheep Brewery in Yorkshire, is spearheading a major campaign to boost cask beer. "It's the heart of what we," she says. The brewery has recovered strongly from the pandemic and lockdowns and now aims, using social media, to attract young people to the pleasures of real ale. But older drinkers will not be forgotten. "There are a lot of lapsed cask drinkers out there," she says. Wed, 02 Mar 2022 12:42:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2022/03/02/black-sheep-in-big-push-to-boost-cask https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2022/03/02/black-sheep-in-big-push-to-boost-cask Mad Squirrel Brewery in Hertfordshire has developed a new system of serving fresh draught beer from a tank. Its taproom in St Albans has its best-selling Sumo pale ale on sale, stored in Frank the Tank. The beer is unfiltered and unpasteurised and contains live yeast. It stays in drinkable condition for five days Sun, 23 Jan 2022 13:08:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2022/01/23/mad-squirrel-meets-frank-the-tank https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2022/01/23/mad-squirrel-meets-frank-the-tank Sales of cask beer fell like a stone during the covid lockdowns but brewers feel confident that a revival is underway. Stuart Bateman, pictured with his sister Jaclyn, says his Lincolnshire brewery is doing well but cask must not be priced beyond drinkers' means. Tom Stainer of CAMRA says cask beer must be treated as a pub's Unique Selling Point while James Calder of SIBA argues that many independent brewers are well placed to meet consumer demand for real ale Thu, 20 Jan 2022 18:40:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2022/01/20/brewers-bullish-about-cask-beer-revival https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2022/01/20/brewers-bullish-about-cask-beer-revival Fuller's famous strong ale ESB is 50 years old and Justin Hawke at Moor Beer, working with the Chiswick brewery, has brewed Rebirth, using the original recipe. Today only English hops are used but Justin has a mix of English, American, Australian and Slovenian varieties. He has also brought back maize, which is no longer used by Fuller's Sun, 19 Dec 2021 13:49:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/12/19/esb-at-50-rolling-back-the-years https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/12/19/esb-at-50-rolling-back-the-years Christmas is bursting with a fine range of beers with strong ales and even an oak-aged Pilsner. Santa Claus would certainly get stuck in the chimney if he partakes of some of these beers. Mon, 13 Dec 2021 13:56:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/12/13/beers-to-get-santa-stuck-in-the-chimney https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/12/13/beers-to-get-santa-stuck-in-the-chimney In his new book Beer by Design, Pete Brown traces the rise of branding and marketing from the Bass Red Triangle in the 19th century to the use of modern design and typefaces to promote the vast range of craft beers throughout the world. He shows how even ultra-modern breweries such as BrewDog have benefitted from an overhaul and new image Thu, 09 Dec 2021 15:10:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/12/09/can-it-how-branding-boosts-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/12/09/can-it-how-branding-boosts-beer Phil and Debbie Goacher launched their brewery in 1983 and restored beer-making to Maidstone, which had lost two large breweries, Fremlins and Style & Winch. Goachers concentrates on strictly traditional styles and still makes a mild. Phil and Debbie have retired and the brewery is run by their son Howard. He uses Kentish hops and would like farmers to grow barley in Kent. Tue, 07 Dec 2021 18:04:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/12/07/goachers-kent-s-great-survivors https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/12/07/goachers-kent-s-great-survivors Pilgrim Brewery in Reigate is Surrey's oldest brewery and it supplies not only pubs in the county but the Oval cricket ground. It was founded by Dave Roberts, who helped SIBA gain Progressive Beer Duty for smaller brewers. It's now run by a trio who have expanded the beer range and upgraded the brewing kit but remain faithful to Roberts' beers that celebrate the pilgrims who made the long trek from Salisbury to Canterbury Sun, 21 Nov 2021 16:35:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/11/21/pilgrim-s-way-is-to-brew-fine-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/11/21/pilgrim-s-way-is-to-brew-fine-beer Nottingham was once dominated by two big breweries, now long gone. Today there's a large number of artisan breweries, led by Castle Rock, offering great choice drinkers. And there are some superb pubs, including the Kean's Head in the historic Lace Market. Fri, 10 Sep 2021 11:27:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/09/10/nottingham-great-beer-great-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/09/10/nottingham-great-beer-great-pubs Fears that cask beer would not recover from the lockdowns have been knocked aside by reports from both regional and smaller breweries that sales are booming. Two family brewers, Charles Wells in Bedford, and Everards in Leicester have downsizes to new plants, Brewpoint and the Beer Hall, where cask ales are central to their plans. Pictured: the Brew Hall. Mon, 23 Aug 2021 11:48:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/08/23/cask-beer-is-bouncing-back https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/08/23/cask-beer-is-bouncing-back In spite of the impact of the pandemic and lockdowns, Thornbridge Brewery in Derbyshire is witnessing record ales of its beers and it retains a strong commitment to cask ale, including its brand leader, Jaipur IPA Sun, 25 Jul 2021 14:10:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/07/25/thornbridge-sees-off-the-pandemic https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/07/25/thornbridge-sees-off-the-pandemic Ralph Findlay, the soon-to-retire chief executive of Marston's brewery and pub company, says the beer world has changed dramatically in recent years and younger drinkers are no longer passionate about cask ale. The group's biggest beer brands are Hobgoblin and Wainwright's while such revered ales as Pedigree and Banks's are struggling. He says the merger with Carlsberg will give Marston's greater muscle in the free trade Fri, 09 Jul 2021 13:44:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/07/09/marston-s-boss-cask-is-under-the-cosh https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/07/09/marston-s-boss-cask-is-under-the-cosh The Magdala Tavern in Hampstead, North London, is famous as the place where Ruth Ellis -- the last woman to be hanged in Britain -- shot her lover in 1955. The pub, owned by Punch Taverns, had been closed since 2014 but it's been bought by Dick Morgan who also runs the Express Tavern in Kew and the Sussex Arms in Twickenham. He has spent £250,000 restoring a famous North London landmark with a fine range of beers Sat, 03 Jul 2021 17:46:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/07/03/historic-magdala-is-back-in-business https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/07/03/historic-magdala-is-back-in-business As the Campaign for Real Ale celebrates its 50th anniversary, a book by Laura Hadland charts the history of CAMRA, the rise and fall of keg beer, the growth of British lager and the dynamic impact of Progressive Beer Duty. With sales of cask beer in crisis as a result of the pandemic and pub shutdowns, the campaign is as a relevant today as it was in the 1970s. Mon, 14 Jun 2021 10:22:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/06/14/camra-50-carry-on-campaigning https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/06/14/camra-50-carry-on-campaigning Just when you thought there could be no further versions of IPA, along come two new interpretations -- Milk Shake and wild. Milk Shake IPAs are brewed with the addition of lactose that can't be fermented by brewer's yeast and gives a creamy note to the beer, while wild Brettanomyces yeast leaves a funky and acidic note. The Brett beers are brewed by Beavertown (pictured) Sat, 08 May 2021 12:35:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/05/08/the-ipa-bandwagon-goes-rolling-on https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/05/08/the-ipa-bandwagon-goes-rolling-on As CAMRA celebrates its 50th anniversary, it also recognises the strong links between the organisation and St Albans. The city is home to the head office while the local branch, South Herts, is the oldest in the country, founded at the Farriers Arms pub in 1972 (pictured) The branch also runs one of the most successful beer festivals in the country Fri, 19 Mar 2021 09:31:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/03/19/camra-50-the-st-albans-link https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/03/19/camra-50-the-st-albans-link Back in the 1970s the strength of beer and the ingredients used were treated like state secrets by breweries. CAMRA unlocked the doors and consumers began to learn more about their favourite brews. Beer writers started to develop a language for beer appreciation -- derided at first but now widely accepted. Pictured: Butty Bach from Wye Valley with information about strength and ingredients on the back label Wed, 25 Nov 2020 12:30:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/11/25/how-our-love-affair-with-beer-has-grown https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/11/25/how-our-love-affair-with-beer-has-grown A once obscure beer style from the Wallonia region of Belgium has now been taken up by brewers in many parts of the world. Saison was originally a seasonal beer brewed by farmers to refresh their workers at harvest time but it's now produced all year round. The classic Saison comes from the Dupont brewery based on a former farm in the Hainaut region Fri, 06 Nov 2020 11:02:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/11/06/tis-the-saison-to-be-merry https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/11/06/tis-the-saison-to-be-merry A decade ago the English hop industry was on its knees as more and more brewers imported hops from abroad. But the revived British Hops Association has breathed life back into the market and has developed a new range of plants that deliver the rich, fruity aromas and flavours that craft brewers demand. Tue, 06 Oct 2020 13:04:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/10/06/hats-off-to-british-hops https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/10/06/hats-off-to-british-hops Bill Tidy at the age of 86 has hung up his pens and sketch pads after years of tickling the nation's ribs with such strip cartoons as the Cloggies and the Fosdyke Saga. He created Kegbuster in the 1970s for CAMRA's What's Brewing newspaper where he lampooned the activities of the Grotny Hardmen and Twitbread and their lacklustre keg beers. Wed, 29 Jul 2020 19:19:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/07/29/billy-tidy-fizz-fun-and-keg-buster https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/07/29/billy-tidy-fizz-fun-and-keg-buster Steve Crawley has brought the much-missed Higson's beers back to Liverpool -- but there's a lot more to be found at the Love Lane Brewery in the fashionable Baltic Triangle. Pale Ale is far and away the biggest beer, backed by IPAs and Baltic Stout. And there are modern gins to please a young clientele as well as excellent food Fri, 26 Jun 2020 15:47:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/06/26/liverpool-gets-a-love-in-at-love-lane https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/06/26/liverpool-gets-a-love-in-at-love-lane It's when the pubs are closed that you realise how much you miss them. Here's a run down of just some of the hostelries I have visited and treasured over the years. Pictured: the Boleyn Tavern in London E6 that used to stand next to West Ham United football ground Thu, 28 May 2020 14:34:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/05/28/pubs-you-always-miss-the-ones-you-love https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/05/28/pubs-you-always-miss-the-ones-you-love There's been a lively debate on Twitter about an old system used to serve Irish stouts. It was known as the two cask or high and low system. One cask held freshly-fermented beer, the second older, mature beer. The system was phased out when Guinness developed a new keg method that served the stout with a mixture of carbon dioxide and nitrogen gasses Wed, 13 May 2020 14:56:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/05/13/the-highs-and-lows-of-draught-guinness https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/05/13/the-highs-and-lows-of-draught-guinness 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?" Mon, 11 May 2020 10:25:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/05/11/taste-of-history-ale-brewed-for-the-arctic https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/05/11/taste-of-history-ale-brewed-for-the-arctic 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 Sat, 09 May 2020 13:40:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/05/09/how-a-little-yeast-gives-beer-some-bottle https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/05/09/how-a-little-yeast-gives-beer-some-bottle Duncan Sambrook opened his brewery in Battersea when Young's closed in Wandsworth in 2006. Now Duncan plans to move his plant to the former Young's site that's now part of the Ram Quarter of housing and offices. He will restore a tradition of brewing that goes back to the time of Elizabeth the First. Fri, 08 May 2020 11:42:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/05/08/duncan-sambrook-is-young-s-at-heart https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/05/08/duncan-sambrook-is-young-s-at-heart 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 Thu, 07 May 2020 12:36:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/05/07/it-s-curious--a-great-british-lager https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/05/07/it-s-curious--a-great-british-lager The nation's pubs are shut tight and it's not the first time they have suffered during a time of crisis. During the First World War, the teetotal Liberal politician David Lloyd George (pictured) drove through measures that drastically cut pub opening hours, increased the price of beer and remodelled pubs to make them less cheerful places to visit. Massive rises in beer duty led to stronger beers such as IPA becoming a shadow of their former selves Thu, 09 Apr 2020 13:22:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/04/09/beer-and-pubs-in-the-firing-line https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/04/09/beer-and-pubs-in-the-firing-line Liverpool is famous for its pubs but it's worth wandering into the backstreets to find some hidden gems, such as Ye Cracke (pictured), where John Lennon used to drink when he was at the nearby art college. There's more Beatles memorabilia at the Grapes in Mathew Street, close to the Cavern Club, and at the nearby White Star. The Roscoe Head has a fine offering of beer and needs support in case its owners close it. For the new face of Liverpool, don't miss the Love Lane brewery and tap Sun, 15 Mar 2020 14:53:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/03/15/beer-and-beatles-are-still-the-mersey-beat https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/03/15/beer-and-beatles-are-still-the-mersey-beat Hinckley in Leicestershire is the birthplace of three men who went on to carve out important roles in British brewing. William Bass,William Worthington and William Butler all have blue plaques on their homes and the local museum has staged a special event to mark their contribution to brewing Mon, 24 Feb 2020 16:54:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/02/24/bass-socks-it-to-em-in-hinckley https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/02/24/bass-socks-it-to-em-in-hinckley Derby has a number of pubs that still serve the legendary Draught Bass from nearby Burton-on-Trent. The pubs include the 16th-century and haunted Olde Dolphin (pictured) along with other historic pubs such as the Smithfield and Old Bell coaching inns.They all prove that whether served from a hand pump or straight from the cask, Bass is still a fine ale Sun, 16 Feb 2020 16:35:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/02/16/derby-a-fine-host-for-much-loved-bass https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/02/16/derby-a-fine-host-for-much-loved-bass Batham's and Holden's are two legendary Black Country breweries famous for their dark milds. But bitter and pale beers are now their main products and mild is in deep decline. It was a style once downed in vast quantities by miners and other industrial workers but as heavy industry has disappeared mild has fallen from grace and needs urgent support from lovers of traditional beers. Pictured: Batham's famous Vine pub complete with Shakespeare quotation Mon, 30 Dec 2019 14:03:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/12/30/historic-mild-ales-need-urgent-support https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/12/30/historic-mild-ales-need-urgent-support A tasting of old Bass beers drew a large audience in Burton-on-Trent, keen to samples beers as old as 150 years. The event was organised by Ian Webster, a local historian, with a number of retired Bass brewers.The event proved that old unpasteurised beers can age with distinction as much as fine wine. Thu, 19 Dec 2019 13:31:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/12/19/old-bass-beers-are-real-corkers https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/12/19/old-bass-beers-are-real-corkers There's a superb range of beers available for the Christmas period. They include the venerable Old Tom from Robinson's., celebrating 100 years, Chiltern about to celebrate 40 years, the revered Bateman's Rosey Nosey and a remarkable Imperial Pilsner from Camden Town that has been aged in French wine barrels. Tue, 10 Dec 2019 12:15:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/12/10/hurry-down-the-chimney-for-xmas-beers https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/12/10/hurry-down-the-chimney-for-xmas-beers The Kelham Island Museum in Sheffield is a fascinating view of the city's great industrial past and it was a fine venue for the CAMRA Steel City Beer Festival. Close by, the Kommune collective of restaurants and book shops is home to Hop Hideout, a beer shop run by Jules Gray with a fine range of beers from home and abroad Mon, 25 Nov 2019 13:46:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/11/25/sheffield-puts-the-steel-into-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/11/25/sheffield-puts-the-steel-into-beer The old question "What did Porter taste like?" is answered by a collaboration brew between Goose Island of Chicago and Wimbledon Brewery in London.The beer is based on recipes unearthed by historian Ron Pattinson from the old Truman brewery in East London. The name celebrates Obadiah Poundage,a retired London brewer in the 18th century, whose writings gave an insight into how early Porters were brewed Wed, 06 Nov 2019 12:16:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/11/06/obadiah-poundage-a-true-taste-of-porter https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/11/06/obadiah-poundage-a-true-taste-of-porter When two publicans in St Albans, Sean Hughes and Christo Tofalli (pictured) launched a campaign against crippling business rates on their pubs, the Boot and the Olde Fighting Cocks, they found that fellow pub owners throughout the country face a similar problem. What began as Save St Albans Pubs has now become a national campaign with publicans lobbying the Treasury for a review of rates Thu, 31 Oct 2019 13:46:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/10/31/st-albans-publicans-lead-big-rates-fight https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/10/31/st-albans-publicans-lead-big-rates-fight Sambrooks Brewery in Battersea plans to relocate in 2020 to the Ram Quarter in Wandsworth, South-east London -- the site of the historic Young's brewery that closed in 2006. Duncan Sambrook opened his brewery in 2008 to fill the void left by Young's and will use the old buildings for a brewery, tap room and museum. Pictured, an artist's impression of the Ram Quarter with the brewery chimney in the background Fri, 09 Aug 2019 16:13:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/08/09/restoring-brewing-to-historic-young-s-site https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/08/09/restoring-brewing-to-historic-young-s-site A £70 million investment at Budweiser Budvar in the Czech Republic will enable the state-owned brewery to boost annual production to 2 million hectolitres.The brewery exports to 80 countries, with Germany its main customer and enjoying healthy sales in the UK. It has launched a new beer, Budvar 33, and its chief executive Petr Dvorak thinks most of the trademark battles with AB InBev are now in the past. Pictured, the copper brewhouse Mon, 15 Jul 2019 07:16:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/07/15/70m-expansion-boost-for-czech-budvar https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/07/15/70m-expansion-boost-for-czech-budvar Salcombe Brewery in Devon has a mission to produce not only good beers but also to put something back into the community and help the environment. Seahorse donates to the Seahorse Trust that supports the endangered species while LIfesaver makes a contribution to the local lifeboat station Tue, 09 Jul 2019 12:19:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/07/09/seaside-brewery-is-pushing-the-boat-out https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/07/09/seaside-brewery-is-pushing-the-boat-out Low alcohol and no alcohol beers -- dubbed NABLABs -- used to taste like cold Horlicks. Such horrors as Kaliber were advertised by Billy Connolly, who is now on the wagon! But a new range of NABLABS offer the taste of malt and hops and can be genuinely enjoyable. Adnams removes the alcohol from Ghost Ship by reverse osmosis while the Small Beer Brewery uses less grain to obtain the level of alcohol required. Sat, 29 Jun 2019 09:55:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/06/29/flavour-rules-in-new-age-low-alcohol-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/06/29/flavour-rules-in-new-age-low-alcohol-beer Leuven is called the City of Beer. The Belgian city, half an hour from Brussels, has two contrasting breweries: Domus brewpub and Stella Artois. The 1920s Art Deco Stella brewery (pictured) is magnificent while tours will take visitors to a number of local breweries, including De Kroon and Hof Ten Dormaal. The Old Market area alone has 36 bars -- sufficient to slake the deepest thirsts. Fri, 17 May 2019 13:51:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/05/17/beer-and-bars-bloom-in-belgian-beer-city https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/05/17/beer-and-bars-bloom-in-belgian-beer-city Four Czechs are forcing British drinkers to rethink their attitude to lager. In place of thin, fizzy and bland beers, Zdenek Kudr, Petr Skocek and their colleagues at Bohem Brewery are fashioning beers that are properly aged, use only the finest ingredients and are served in their Taproom using the approved "Czech pour" (pictured) that leaves flavour, not gas, in the glass Tue, 30 Apr 2019 18:12:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/04/30/czech-mates-are-a-fine-team-in-tottenham https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/04/30/czech-mates-are-a-fine-team-in-tottenham Nik Antona (pictured left) and Tom Stainer, the new chairman-elect and chief executive of CAMRA, have a mission to broaden the base of the campaign and win younger drinkers. They stress that many beer festivals now offer a wider choice of beers and the campaign is about more than handpumps and casks. To boost the fortunes of real ale, they will step up efforts to save pubs as vital hubs of communities offering a range of great beer. Sun, 31 Mar 2019 18:17:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/03/31/new-look-camra-out-to-broaden-base https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/03/31/new-look-camra-out-to-broaden-base Gary Murphy runs the historic, listed Old Mitre Inne in Barnet, North-west London and is locked in a long-running battle with the Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) as a result of his plan to go free of tie with the pub's owner, Greene King. He has spent thousands of pounds of his own money on legal costs and has taken to crowd funding to finance a court hearing with the PCA. Mon, 11 Mar 2019 12:32:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/03/11/david-goliath-battle-over-historic-inn https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/03/11/david-goliath-battle-over-historic-inn S troud Brewery, launched by Greg Pilley (pictured) in 2006, has moved to new premises where Greg and his team produce a range of organic beers to meet his passion for aiding the environment.The new site includes a tap room and bar where local people can enjoy the beers along with pizzas cooked in an oven imported from Naples. At present Stroud has a 20-barrel kit but Greg plans to expand to 40 barrels as demand grows Mon, 25 Feb 2019 08:43:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/02/25/stroud-going-green-in-the-cotswolds https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/02/25/stroud-going-green-in-the-cotswolds Alex Brodie has stepped down as the boss of Hawkshead Brewery in the Lake District but he's being kept on as beer taster in chief to keep his eye -- and his tastebuds -- on his favourite brews. Alex trained as a journalist and travelled widely first in Britain and then around the world as a BBC correspondent. But his love of good beer drove him to open a small brewery in Hawkshead that has grown rapidly into a major Cumbrian business Mon, 18 Feb 2019 17:26:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/02/18/alex-brodie-retiring-but-not-his-tastebuds https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/02/18/alex-brodie-retiring-but-not-his-tastebuds Twenty years ago sales of bottled beer were falling off the cliff. But there's been a spirited revival and one section of the bottled sector that's showing special growth is bottle-conditioned beers. This year, Marston's will stage a "live beer" week along with other breweries. Among live beers on sale, the Gold edition of Thomas Hardy's Ale stands out from the crowd as it marks 50 years since it was first brewed for a literary festival in Hardy's home town of Dorchester Mon, 18 Feb 2019 12:56:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/02/18/how-live-beers-came-back-from-the-dead https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/02/18/how-live-beers-came-back-from-the-dead Harry is the landlord of the Dock & Duck in rural southern England. He has a lease with Enterprise Inns, the country's biggest pub company, now known as Ei Group. Harry is not his real name as he wants to renew his lease but he is keen to show how difficult it is to run pubs when they are tied to their landlords for beer. Harry says he pays some £60,000 a year more than if he bought his beer on the open market. Thu, 14 Feb 2019 13:02:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/02/14/giant-pubco-has-landlord-over-a-barrel https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/02/14/giant-pubco-has-landlord-over-a-barrel Jaega Wise has sprung to fame in a few years with Wild Card Brewery in East London. She and her fellow directors William Harris and Andrew Birkby are from Nottingham and moved from home brewing to full scale production in 2012. They have won awards for their beers and Jaega was named Brewer of the Year in December by the British Guild of Beer Writers. She's also a regional director for the Society of Independent Brewers and finds time to sing in a group called Hell and Hope Mon, 21 Jan 2019 09:36:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/01/21/jaega-wild-over-beer-in-walthamstow https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/01/21/jaega-wild-over-beer-in-walthamstow After years of growth in the pale ale and IPA sector, dark beer is making a comeback. Tesco stores sold out of stout during the Christmas period as consumers relish the rich flavours of beers made with roasted and caramel malts. There are some fine porters and stouts available but you will need to rush to get a bottle of the annual Goose Island Bourbon County Stout before it sells out Mon, 31 Dec 2018 07:52:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/12/31/there-s-dark-at-the-end-of-the-beer-tunnel https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/12/31/there-s-dark-at-the-end-of-the-beer-tunnel Jeffrey John Bell is one of the best-known pub landlords in the country who built his reputation with two London pubs, the Gunmakers and the Finborough Arms. But now he's running the ancient Ypres Castle Inn in Rye on the Romney Marsh in Sussex where he offers a range of beers from local breweries, including Three Legs on a local farm. Fri, 07 Dec 2018 17:33:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/12/07/top-landlord-offers-a-rye-look-at-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/12/07/top-landlord-offers-a-rye-look-at-beer Most beers are meant for immediate consumption but there are some strong versions that should be treated with the same respect as vintage wine and which will improve with age. Two such recent additions are the latest Thomas Hardy's Ale and Fuller's Vintage Ale. It's claimed the Thomas Hardy's will improve over 25 years while samplings show the Fuller's beer with deepen its complexities if laid down for a few years Wed, 05 Dec 2018 09:30:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/12/05/beers-that-grow-old-gracefully https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/12/05/beers-that-grow-old-gracefully A group of four beer lovers called The Completists take on the onerous task every year of visiting every pub listed in the Good Beer Guide.They visited St Albans, a small city with 50 pubs, and joined Roger Protz on a selection of some of the pubs in the 2019 guide. When news leaked out via social media, a few more drinkers came along for a crawl of pubs with not only good beer but also some fascinating history Tue, 27 Nov 2018 14:36:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/11/27/st-albans-great-heritage-pub-crawl https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/11/27/st-albans-great-heritage-pub-crawl The small market town of Waltham Abbey in Essex once claimed, with 27 inns, to have the most pubs in Europe. The number has declined to 10 but they include the ancient Welsh Harp, with links to the abbey, the 17th century Sun, and the multi-award-winning Woodbine on the edge of Epping Forest that has won 27 awards from CAMRA for beer and cider and now plans its own brewery Mon, 19 Nov 2018 09:42:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/11/19/small-essex-town-big-pub-heritage https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/11/19/small-essex-town-big-pub-heritage Paul Theakston, seen with is sons Jo and Rob, left the family brewery in Masham in the Yorkshire Dales when it was taken over by Scottish & Newcastle. He nursed his wounds for a few years then opened Black Sheep in a former maltings just yards from the rival brewery. He devised a new course for his brewery: he owned no pubs and relied on the free trade. It's been a rocky road but the brewery is flourishing. Paul has now handed over the reins to his sons and can reflect on his tumultuous brewing story Fri, 09 Nov 2018 11:46:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/11/09/baa-gum--the-black-sheep-beer-saga https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/11/09/baa-gum--the-black-sheep-beer-saga John Keeling has just retired as head brewer at Fuller's but he has a new mission in life -- to boost the fortune's of cask beer. He says Britain's unique contribution to beer is seeing sales fall by 10% a year. His recommendations include greater quality control, with no cask served longer than three days, and a special differential rate of duty when Britain leave the European Union Tue, 30 Oct 2018 08:53:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/10/30/master-brewer-s-mission-to-boost-cask https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/10/30/master-brewer-s-mission-to-boost-cask Greece has a vast number of islands and several of them are now home to new craft breweries. They include the Nissos Brewery that concentrates on organic lagers and Mikonu on Mykonos, where founders Angelos Ferous and Janos Bako (pictured) learned the brewing skills at BrewDog in Scotland. Other islands with flourishing breweries include Crete and Santorini Tue, 23 Oct 2018 12:27:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/10/23/greek-islands-harbour-fine-craft-beers https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/10/23/greek-islands-harbour-fine-craft-beers Sofoklis Panagiotu founded Septem Brewery at the height of the Greek financial crisis but he has survived and now runs the biggest craft brewery in the country. He produces both draught and bottled beers and exports to 13 countries. He grows his own hops and used them to make a wet hop beer this autumn with Cascade and Chinook varieties. There are now some 45 small craft breweries in Greece but they face stiff competition from Heineken and Carlsberg who account for around 85% of beer sales Fri, 19 Oct 2018 09:25:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/10/19/meet-sofoklis-greek-beer-s-philosopher https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/10/19/meet-sofoklis-greek-beer-s-philosopher New England IPA is yet another variant of a style that shows no signs of slowing down world wide. Versions from the East Coast of the US are less aggressively hopped than beers from the West Coast that can have as much as 100 units of bitterness. And it was the IPA from the Harpoon Brewery in Boston that helped kick-start the IPA revolution in the 1990s. NEIPAs as they are known are now being brewed with enthusiasm as far away as Australia Tue, 02 Oct 2018 08:49:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/10/02/east-west-ipa-goes-on-travelling https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/10/02/east-west-ipa-goes-on-travelling So much attention is paid to hops these days that many drinkers ignore the vital role played by barley and other grains in making beer. Hops are the salt and pepper of beer-making but it needs malt, with its essential sugars, that enables beer to be made and to balance the bitterness of hops with rich biscuit notes with chocolate and fruit from darker grain Thu, 30 Aug 2018 12:31:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/08/30/great-beer-it-s-a-grainy-image https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/08/30/great-beer-it-s-a-grainy-image In 1978, when Roger Protz published his first book on beer, Pulling a Fast One, the industry was dominated by the Big Six national brewers who closed many smaller breweries and charged high prices for their ales and lagers. 40 years later, global brewers have replaced the nationals and their beers are still shockingly over-priced Fri, 24 Aug 2018 11:28:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/08/24/40-years-on-big-beer-still-rules-the-roost-1 https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/08/24/40-years-on-big-beer-still-rules-the-roost-1 Hook Norton Brewery is a magical place centred on a classic Victorian tower brewery. It has a steam engine, oak-lined brewing vessels and horse-drawn drays. But it's not living in the past. Managing director James Clarke has dramatically increased the range of beers and has turned the site into a major tourist attraction with a visitor centre, restaurant and a pilot brewery where beer lovers can make their own brews. Thu, 19 Jul 2018 07:26:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/07/19/historic-hooky-is-set-for-the-future https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/07/19/historic-hooky-is-set-for-the-future Delegates attending the annual conference of More Than a Pub, staged by the Plunkett Foundation, heard of campaigns throughout the country to save cherished local pubs as a result of dedicated work by action groups. The centrepiece of the conference was a case study of the Gardeners Arms in Sheffield (pictured) that was saved from closure and is now acting as a vital community hub and is also the tap house for the Sheffield Brewery Tue, 17 Jul 2018 12:20:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/07/17/big-drive-to-save-embattled-locals https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/07/17/big-drive-to-save-embattled-locals East Lancs Railway is a restored steam line brought back from the dead following the Beeching Axe. It has two superb bars at Rawtenstall and Bury stations serving a fine range of beers from local breweries plus top quality true lagers. Visitors will also find saison, sour and even a Bavarian-style Dampfbier. When the line reopened in the 1980s it received a visit from the Flying Scotsman (pictured) Sun, 08 Jul 2018 13:26:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/07/08/full-steam-ahead-to-two-great-rail-bars https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/07/08/full-steam-ahead-to-two-great-rail-bars Shepherd Neame may be Britain's oldest brewery, dating from 1698, but it's not resting on its history. Chief executive Jonathan Neame says the future for beer is about flavour and quality and he responds to modern consumer demands with beers with good hop aroma whether in cask, keg or bottle. The brewery is also expanding its pub estate with new outlets planned for London Tue, 03 Jul 2018 10:14:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/07/03/sheps-sees-future-in-cask-keg-and-bottle https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/07/03/sheps-sees-future-in-cask-keg-and-bottle Eden River Brew in Penrith has joined forces with design students at Cumbria University to fashion a new range of beers with vibrant coloured cans. The range includes two IPAs -- one of them sour -- a fruit wheat beer and a Belgian-style farmhouse saison. Sun, 10 Jun 2018 17:45:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/06/10/eden-river-beers-on-steep-learning-curve https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/06/10/eden-river-beers-on-steep-learning-curve Norwich is linked to Rouen in France and David Holliday at Norfolk Brewhouse was keen to brew a beer that commemorated the association. He found that Northmaen brewery on a farm near Rouen in Normandy grows its own grain and was also keen to stress the Vikings' link between the two regions. The result is Amitie IPA, launched during City of Ale in Norwich. Pictured: Dominique Camus at Northmaen with Bruce Ash from Norfolk Brewhouse Mon, 28 May 2018 15:53:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/05/28/viking-beer-cements-norfolk-rouen-link https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/05/28/viking-beer-cements-norfolk-rouen-link Adnams Brewery in Suffolk is famous for its cask ales -- but times are changing. Chairman Jonathan Adnams (pictured),in a frank interview, says only a tiny proportion of his production goes to his own pubs and in the free trade there's a growing demand for keg beer -- and sales of keg will overtake cask by 2019. Wed, 16 May 2018 07:34:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/05/16/keg-s-big-challenge-to-cask-at-adnams https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/05/16/keg-s-big-challenge-to-cask-at-adnams A new brewery museum in Izmir traces the history -- sometimes turbulent -- of brewing in Turkey. The first commercial breweries didn't open until the last years of the Ottoman empire. Under the Turkish Republic there were periods of state ownership. The museum shows how the first breweries -- such as Bomonti in Constantinople (pictured) -- moved from ale to lager brewing. Today, the biggest brewery, Efes, is planning its own small museum in Izmir. Sun, 13 May 2018 14:07:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/05/13/museum-traces-turbulent-turkish-brewing https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/05/13/museum-traces-turbulent-turkish-brewing Turkey saw its first ever beer festival in Izmir in May. There are now seven craft breweries in the country and a vigorous home-brewing scene as well. For decades the country has been dominated by one large brewery, Efes, but now the impact of the world-wide craft revolution is being felt. Pictured, the hall in Izmir where Brewstival was staged Sat, 12 May 2018 17:25:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/05/12/turkish-delight-at-first-ever-beer-fest https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/05/12/turkish-delight-at-first-ever-beer-fest Stephen Beaumont's new book is a world guide to the best beers, bars and pubs. It covers Britain, Europe, the Far East, Australia, New Zealand, and America north and south. It's a well-designed and illustrated book that will have beer lovers reaching for their passports to follow in his bibulous footsteps Fri, 27 Apr 2018 08:56:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/04/27/beaumont-s-beery-magic-carpet-ride https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/04/27/beaumont-s-beery-magic-carpet-ride A tasting of aged beers organised by Brad Wight at the Steam Machine Brewery in Co Durham included beers going back to the 1950s and possibly pre-World War Two. Pictured are the group of volunteers who tasted the beers and found that some aged better than others and bottle-conditioning was no guarantee of success Sat, 21 Apr 2018 10:41:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/04/21/will-old-ales-stand-up-to-the-taste-test https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/04/21/will-old-ales-stand-up-to-the-taste-test The latest beer craze is a style based on Saison, a farmhouse beer brewed in Wallonia, the French-speaking region of Belgium. The best-known Saison brewer there is Dupont (pictured) which started life as a farm. Saison was originally brewed by farmers to refresh their families and labourers during the harvest period. Other Saison brewers include Brasserie a Vapeur and Silly in the town of the same name Thu, 05 Apr 2018 11:15:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/04/05/it-s-always-the-season-for-a-saison https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/04/05/it-s-always-the-season-for-a-saison Bradley Cummings (right) and Gareth Williams sprang to fame in 2015 when their beer Cwtch -- Welsh for "cuddle" -- won the Champion Beer of Britain award. Their Tiny Rebel brewery in Newport started life in a garage but it's now a substantial business, exporting all round the world and planning further expansion Wed, 04 Apr 2018 09:01:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/04/04/still-a-rebel-but-no-longer-tiny https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/04/04/still-a-rebel-but-no-longer-tiny Graham Wheeler championed the cause of real ale with a series of best-selling home brewing guides. Roger Protz recalls a reclusive writer who ignored deadlines but finally produced books that encouraged a generation of beer lovers to make good beer at home Thu, 15 Mar 2018 16:12:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/03/15/saluting-a-home-brewing-pioneer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/03/15/saluting-a-home-brewing-pioneer Mark Crilley is a prolific author and artist who uses the Japanese Manga style to fashion his comics and adventure stories for a mainly young adult audience. He has travelled widely and fell in love with British beer and pubs on visits to the UK. He regrets that so little British beer is available in the U.S. though one brewery in Michigan, where he lives, makes an ESB. Pictured is an illustration showing a character outside an English village pub Fri, 02 Mar 2018 12:12:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/03/02/mark-crilley-on-manga-beer-and-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/03/02/mark-crilley-on-manga-beer-and-pubs Milton Keynes was a small village in Buckinghamshire until the 1960s when it was designated a New Town. It lacked a brewing heritage but that is being developed now thanks to new small breweries such as Concrete Cow and Hornes and two beer shops cum micro pubs in Wolverton and Stony Stratford. Pictured: Dan Bonner at Concrete Cow Mon, 26 Feb 2018 08:34:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/02/26/meet-the-milton-keynes-beer-dons https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/02/26/meet-the-milton-keynes-beer-dons Steve Wellington, a revered figure in brewing circles, is retiring...allegedly. He has retired four times before but this time he means it -- except that the owners of the Heritage Brewery in Burton-on-Trent want him to stay on as a consultant. He is seen on the left in the brewery with his colleagues Caroline Horrabin and Martin Hodson. Steve worked in various parts of the old Bass empire but his main claim to fame was bringing Worthington's White Shield back to Burton Mon, 05 Feb 2018 13:33:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/02/05/steve-wellington-burton-s-beer-hero https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/02/05/steve-wellington-burton-s-beer-hero Brian Watson has a remote brewery -- in the heart of London. He set up Oddly Brewery in decaying buildings on Platts' Eyot on the River Thames, near Hampton Court Palace. Getting brewing kit and ingredients on to the island required adapted boats and many hours of labour -- the photo left shows the brewing kit arriving. But the buildings have been repaired and brewing is going full-steam ahead and meeting drinkers' approval, as Sarah Howe reports Fri, 02 Feb 2018 14:13:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/02/02/beer-takes-to-the-water-on-thames-island https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/02/02/beer-takes-to-the-water-on-thames-island St Pancras Station in London is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2018 -- and beer will be the centrepiece of events. The station was built to bring beer from Burton-on-Trent to London and St Pancras helped revolutionise brewing, acquainting Londoners with pale ale for the first time. Events at the station will include a beer festival in October and a special IPA has been brewed by Lost Rivers, with the first batch delivered by a Young's dray Sun, 14 Jan 2018 11:45:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/01/14/beer-highlight-of-st-pancras-celebrations https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/01/14/beer-highlight-of-st-pancras-celebrations 8 January 2018 was a double celebration. Bateman's award-winning strong bitter XXXB chalked up 40 years since it was first brewed and four generations of brewers were in attendance as two beer lovers, Michael and Hannah Borill from Lincoln, helped mash in and boil malt and hops for a batch restored to its original strength of 4.8 per cent Wed, 10 Jan 2018 17:12:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/01/10/tears-and-cheers-at-batemans-as-xxxb-celebrates-40-glorious-years https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/01/10/tears-and-cheers-at-batemans-as-xxxb-celebrates-40-glorious-years The beer world has moved on from the likes of Mild and Bitter. Craft brewers are endlessly seeking out new and sometimes extreme flavours in beer. Some writers question whether adding fruit to beer is a step too far but there's no doubt that wood ageing has brought new dimensions to the pleasures of drinking. And Adnams' Ghost Ship, with its rich hop character, is now the brewery's top-selling beer Fri, 05 Jan 2018 09:42:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/01/05/beer-flavour-is-top-of-the-agenda https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/01/05/beer-flavour-is-top-of-the-agenda Gale's Prize Old Ale, aged in wood, looked to have died when the brewery was bought and closed by Fuller's in 2006. But now the major London brewery has worked with Marble in Manchester to restore the classic ale, ageing it in four oak barrels for a year. Marble head brewer James Kemp has released the beers in four different signatures from bourbon, Barbera, Madeira and Pinot Noir barrels Wed, 27 Dec 2017 14:38:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/12/27/fuller-s-marble-revive-classic-old-ale https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/12/27/fuller-s-marble-revive-classic-old-ale Three men -- Martin Taylor, Simon Everitt and Richard Coldwell -- known as the Completists have a rare passion for pubs. Their aim is to visit every pub listed in the Good Beer Guide -- and they plan weekends and holidays with military precision. They love pubs because "pubs are about people" and they don't enjoy drinking at home. Roger Protz joined them on a crawl of some of Sheffield's finest hostelries Sun, 17 Dec 2017 18:02:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/12/17/a-passion-for-pubs-the-completists-tour-britain-with-good-beer-guide-to-hand https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/12/17/a-passion-for-pubs-the-completists-tour-britain-with-good-beer-guide-to-hand A former closed Young's pub in Richmond, London, has been restored as a vibrant community local by Chris French (pictured) with a policy of serving beers from outside the M25 along with bought-in pizzas and help from Rudi the cocker spaniel, voted the cutest UK pub dog Sat, 11 Nov 2017 09:06:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/11/11/beer-and-cute-pooch-boost-london-local https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/11/11/beer-and-cute-pooch-boost-london-local David Bruce, famous as the founder of the Firkin pub chain and Slug & Lettuce, now runs the West Berkshire Brewery. He has transformed the small site in an old bakery into a large new brewery on a former dairy farm with a multi-functional brewhouse producing ale and lager. He has also installed a visitor centre where drinkers can sample the beers and watch brewing through a glass wall. There's a ramped up beer range with Renegade craft beers alongside the original cask ales Mon, 30 Oct 2017 12:42:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/10/30/david-bruce-rolls-out-barrels-in-berkshire https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/10/30/david-bruce-rolls-out-barrels-in-berkshire Dougal Sharp, pictured outside the barrel house at Inveralmond Brewery in Perth, has achieved his ambition of owning his own brewery. While Inveralmond continues to brew cask ales, Innis & Gunn now has a base for its oak-aged range of beers. But there's controversy surrounding the main I&G beers as they are produced by a method using oak chips and are not aged in wood casks. Dougal Sharp says he's "putting the barrels into the beer". Fri, 27 Oct 2017 08:57:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/10/27/i-g-finds-a-way-through-the-wood https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/10/27/i-g-finds-a-way-through-the-wood Liverpool pubs are picking up awards galore. Micro-pub Cask has twice been named Pub of the Year by the local branch of CAMRA while the famous Roscoe Head has been given a framed certificate to mark its inclusion in all 45 editions of the Good Beer Guide. Across the Mersey in Birkenhead, Gallagher's Pub & Barbers -- both Wirral and Merseyside Pub of the Year -- has had to stop offering haircuts due to the demand for its fine range of beers Sun, 08 Oct 2017 10:53:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/10/08/it-s-beery-across-the-mersey https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/10/08/it-s-beery-across-the-mersey Two Italians from Naples, Pasquale Ambrosio and Angelo Chionchio, run a successful pizzeria, Santa Maria, in Ealing, West London and they have now moved next door to run a Fuller's pub, the Red Lion on St Mary's Road. The Neapolitan duo have a passion for pizza and import all the ingredients from Italy, along with a wood-fired oven. They have added their own special beer, Santa Maria IPA from Bianca Road Brew in Peckham Mon, 02 Oct 2017 17:29:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/10/02/a-pint-and-a-pizza-the-real-italian-job https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/10/02/a-pint-and-a-pizza-the-real-italian-job British hops are no longer in the doldrums. There are now 50 hop farmers producing 27 varieties, with a large proportion going for export. Beer lovers can celebrate the Great Hop Revival this autumn with a raft of festivals, exhibitions and train rides. Get hopping! Mon, 11 Sep 2017 08:33:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/09/11/celebrate-great-hop-revival-this-autumn https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/09/11/celebrate-great-hop-revival-this-autumn Anchor Brewing of San Francisco has been bought by the giant Japanese brewery Sapporo, which means yet another independent craft brewery has fallen to Big Beer. Anchor, famous for its steam beer, enjoys iconic status in the US as it played a key role in kick-starting the great American beer revival in the 1960s Sat, 05 Aug 2017 12:22:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/08/05/big-beer-snaps-up-iconic-anchor-brewery https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/08/05/big-beer-snaps-up-iconic-anchor-brewery Greg Koch launched Stone Brewing when he discovered there was more to American beer than Budweiser and Miller Lite. Starting with a 30-barrel kit in 1996 he now has breweries in California, Virginia and Berlin and is producing some 400,000 barrels a year, with 30 IPAs in his portfolio Fri, 28 Jul 2017 08:52:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/07/28/stone-s-greg-koch-i-m-an-ipa-diehard https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/07/28/stone-s-greg-koch-i-m-an-ipa-diehard The Gunmakers Arms in Hockley plays a central role in Birmingham Beer Week and specialises in unfined beers from the neighbouring Two Towers Brewery. The beers range from dark mild, through golden ale and bitter to porter and the lack of isinglass does not detract from the full-bodied character of the beers. Mon, 24 Jul 2017 09:57:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/07/24/gunmakers-firing-on-all-cylinders https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/07/24/gunmakers-firing-on-all-cylinders In his new book IPA: a Legend in Our Time, Roger Protz explores the origins of the style that is now a world-wide phenomenon. He traces the roots of the beer in Victorian Britain and, with the help of a small London brewery, recreates an old Bass recipe and ages the beer in wood -- with surprising results. The book goes to cover modern IPAs, brewed around the world, and such legendary versions as White Shield, Ballantine's and McEwan's Fri, 14 Jul 2017 08:26:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/07/14/ipa-beer-with-a-past-and-a-great-revival https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/07/14/ipa-beer-with-a-past-and-a-great-revival Ralph Findlay, chief executive of Marston's, is bullish about the future of beer and pubs. He has more than 1,560 pubs and plans to bring back more "wet led" outlets to cater for the demand for craft beer. He says the recently acquired Charles Wells's beers won't change and will continue to be brewed at Bedford. He hopes to give greater presence to Courage and Young's beers in London and to boost McEwans in Scotland. Tue, 27 Jun 2017 09:27:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/06/27/marston-s-chief-on-the-future-for-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/06/27/marston-s-chief-on-the-future-for-pubs Pete Brown has written a book full of profound insights into the history of beer and its vital raw materials: malt, hops, yeast and water. He challenges many received ideas on when beer was first brewed, the range of malts used in brewing, the development of hops and the possibility that lager yeast is older than we think. Mon, 19 Jun 2017 10:49:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/06/19/pete-brown-unravels-the-mysteries-of-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/06/19/pete-brown-unravels-the-mysteries-of-beer Sebastien Morvan and Olivier de Brouwer have a mission: to take beer "out of the abbey and into the playground". They are brewing challenging brews at the Brussels Beer Project, packed with hops and often using unusual ingredients. They are involved in collaboration beers in a number of countries, including Britain where they make Babylone at Hackney Brewery with 30% bread. They are also ageing a growing number of beer in oak casks from the wine, cognac and whisky industries. Tue, 23 May 2017 18:42:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/05/23/belgian-beer-gets-a-makeover-in-brussels https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/05/23/belgian-beer-gets-a-makeover-in-brussels Norwich's great beer bonanza, City of Ale, returns at the end of May for another great celebration of beer and brewing in Norfolk and its capital city. The brainchild of Dawn Leeder and Phil Cutter, City of Ale is more than a beer festival but is a rolling programme of events in pubs and breweries, with talks and tastings by local brewers and beer writers, including Adrian Tierney-Jones and Roger Protz Wed, 17 May 2017 13:26:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/05/17/hail-to-the-ale-in-major-norwich-fest https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/05/17/hail-to-the-ale-in-major-norwich-fest Cumbrian Legendary Ales is content to remain a small brewery supplying its locality with cask ales, including the award-winning Loweswater Gold. But Hawkshead is forging ahead with plans to expand sales following a deal with a large drinks distribution company to sell bottles and cans internationally. But founder Alex Brodie stays firmly in charge and there will still be a strong emphasis on draught beer Sun, 07 May 2017 12:10:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/05/07/in-cumbria-two-breweries-two-visions https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/05/07/in-cumbria-two-breweries-two-visions The Red Lion at Histon near Cambridge is a shrine to good beer, decked out with memorabilia of the hey-day of brewing in the 20th century. But landlord Mark Donachy isn't living in the past as the Red Lion serves a wide selection of cask ales from today's independent breweries, mainly in East Anglia. Not surprisingly, The Red Lion has just been named Pub of the Year by the local branch of CAMRA. Sat, 29 Apr 2017 11:11:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/04/29/prize-winning-pub-a-shrine-to-good-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/04/29/prize-winning-pub-a-shrine-to-good-beer There's a quiet beer revolution underway in Hungary with some 70 craft breweries bringing choice to a country dominated by global brewers. The driving force is Eleszto -- yeast -- a complex of bars and restaurants that features many craft beers and organises tours of the best bars in the city. There's even cask beer available, the results of a collaboration between the small Hubris brewery in Budapest and Signature Brew in London Tue, 18 Apr 2017 09:13:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/04/18/craft-beer-is-booming-in-budapest https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/04/18/craft-beer-is-booming-in-budapest Siren Craft Brew in leafy Berkshire is pushing back the frontiers of beer-making with a range of challenging brews. some of which are aged in oak casks. Its annual vintage is Maiden, aged in oak but topped up each year with fresh beer, following the Spanish sherry solera system. As well as IPA and oatmeal stout, Siren also conducts collaboration brews with the likes of Cigar City in Florida. Pictured in the cask storehouse are (left to right) founder Darron Anley with brewers Kyle Larsen and Steve Hoile Wed, 29 Mar 2017 17:25:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/03/29/siren-voices-herald-groundbreaking-beers https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/03/29/siren-voices-herald-groundbreaking-beers Colin Dexter, who died on 21 March, had a life-long love affair with good beer, starting in his home town of Stamford. He took that love with him to Oxford and it helped inspire his great creation, Inspector Morse, In this interview with Roger Protz in May 1990, Dexter spoke of his favourite beers and the crime writers he admires. Wed, 22 Mar 2017 15:48:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/03/22/colin-dexter-on-morse-murder-and-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/03/22/colin-dexter-on-morse-murder-and-beer Publicans packed a meeting in St Albans this week to launch a petition to halt punitive rises in business rates. St Albans with 50 pubs has the biggest number of any town or city in the country -- but 20 could close unless rate increases are halted. The meeting was convened by Sean Hughes (pictured) who runs the 15th century Boot pub Fri, 24 Feb 2017 14:01:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/02/24/rates-ticking-time-bomb-for-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/02/24/rates-ticking-time-bomb-for-pubs Alex Brodie, founder of Hawkshead Brewery in Cumbria, brewed more than one million litres in 2016 -- and 65% of the total was cask beer. He describes himself as "bullish about cask" and plans a rolling programme of session beers for 2017. He welcomes new wave young brewers but says cask ale is unique to Britain and needs to be treasured Mon, 30 Jan 2017 08:50:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/01/30/hawkshead-s-brodie-bullish-about-cask https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/01/30/hawkshead-s-brodie-bullish-about-cask Maigret returns to TV on Christmas day and two more films are planned with Rowan Atkinson playing the famous French detective. Penguin Books is relaunching the whole Maigret series of novels and his creator Georges Simenon, in an interview with the Toronto Star in 1953, explained why a Parisian policeman preferred beer to wine Mon, 19 Dec 2016 11:02:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/12/19/why-inspector-maigret-drinks-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/12/19/why-inspector-maigret-drinks-beer Veteran pubs campaigner Mark Dodds is back doing what he enjoys best --- pulling pints in a pub. After a long losing and bruising battle with pub companies in London, he is back in the North-east, reviving the fortunes of the Brown Bear in Berwick. He is also planning to raise crowd funding money to help save other community locals Sun, 11 Dec 2016 16:15:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/12/11/mark-dodds-is-back-pulling-pints https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/12/11/mark-dodds-is-back-pulling-pints Belgian beer is no longer living in the past. Plans are under way to convert the Bourse -- the Stock Exchange -- in Brussels into the Belgian Beer Palace that will offer visitors interactive displays about the country's vast range of beer. And nearby the Brussels Beer Project says "leave the abbey" and is brewing new styles in collaboration with brewers in other European countries: including Anspach & Hobday (pictured) from London Thu, 01 Dec 2016 09:42:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/12/01/belgian-beer-looks-to-the-future https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/12/01/belgian-beer-looks-to-the-future Pioneering Burton brewers Bruce Wilkinson and Geoff Mumford are calling it a day and putting their Burton Bridge Brewery up for sale. They both worked for Ind Coope before opening their own brewery and one of their last acts was to bring Draught Burton Ale back to its native town. They are determined Burton Bridge will be sold only to someone who shares their belief in traditional ales Wed, 02 Nov 2016 09:26:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/11/02/bruce-geoff-gone-for-a-burton https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/11/02/bruce-geoff-gone-for-a-burton Audit Ale was once consumed in vast quantities at college feasts in Oxford and Cambridge to mark the annual settlement of rents from college land and farms. The style has been revived by Lacons and Westerham breweries and now Titanic and White Horse breweries have collaborated to brew a version of Audit ale that will be aged until next April Tue, 18 Oct 2016 20:01:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/10/18/audit-ale-taking-account-of-history https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/10/18/audit-ale-taking-account-of-history Achouffe brewery in the Belgian Ardennes has come a long way from its launch in 1982 with second-hand vessels on a farm. It has become world-famous as a result of its gnome logo: founder Chris Bauweraerts is seen with one his gnomes. The brewery is now part of the Duvel Moortgat group, which exports the beers to more than 20 countries and where it has created great interest with the first-ever Belgian IPA. Tue, 04 Oct 2016 12:47:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/10/04/chouffe-where-beer-is-gnome-from-home https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/10/04/chouffe-where-beer-is-gnome-from-home The legendary barley wine Thomas Hardy's Ale, which disappeared when first Eldridge Pope's brewery closed and then O'Hanlon's brewery dropped the beer, has been restored...in Italy. Sandro and Michele Vecchiato of Interbrau bought the brand and it's now brewed for them by Meantime in London. It was launched in Milan but Interbrau plan to make it available in both the UK and the U.S. Sun, 18 Sep 2016 17:07:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/09/18/thomas-hardy-s-ale-return-of-the-native https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/09/18/thomas-hardy-s-ale-return-of-the-native In just five short years, Logan Plant has moved from his kitchen to a 40,000 barrel-a-year plant in Tottenham, North London -- and he's already planning to expand. Logan comes from the Black Country where his father, Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin fame, introduced him to the delights of Batham's and Holden's ales. Now he's entranced with West Coast pale ales from the U.S. and brews a range of IPAs, including the outstanding Bloody Ell Sun, 04 Sep 2016 19:21:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/09/04/tottenham-hails-beavertown-ales https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/09/04/tottenham-hails-beavertown-ales An evening of fine vegetarian food at Salon in Brixton was highlighted by beers supplied by the Brewers Association from the United States. The organisation takes beer-and-food matching sufficiently seriously to employ a resident chef, Adam Dulye. Five courses were matched with beers ranging from saison to gose, IPA, Alt and Old Ale Sat, 13 Aug 2016 12:36:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/08/13/us-beer-brightens-brixton-food-scene https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/08/13/us-beer-brightens-brixton-food-scene Joe Stange, an American journalist from Missouri, is based in Berlin and writes with Tim Webb the Good Beer Guide Belgium. It was while he was working as a freelance in Brussels that he came across Belgian beer and started a journey that led to a Brussels beer guide and now co-author of the Belgian book. He calls himself a "beer conservationist" and is a great defender of European styles. He is critical of American "sours" that discredit the true Lambic tradition Sat, 30 Jul 2016 14:51:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/07/30/joe-stange-the-accidental-beer-writer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/07/30/joe-stange-the-accidental-beer-writer Three young Americans with a love of craft beer have introduced Berliners to the extravaganzas of IPAs bursting with hop character. David Spengler, Tom Crozier and Matthew Walthall (pictured left to right) arrived in the German capital by different routes but were united by their love of craft beers, IPAs in particular. Now drinkers are pounding the pavement to get to their Vagabund brewpub in the Wedding district to sample the joys of IPA and Imperial IPA Mon, 27 Jun 2016 18:32:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/06/27/american-hoppy-ipas-bounce-into-berlin https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/06/27/american-hoppy-ipas-bounce-into-berlin Daisy Claeys has run 't Brugs Beertje -- the Little Bruges Bear -- for 30 years and has never sold a drop of Pils in a country dominated by Stella Artois. She sells as many as 300 different beers a year, all from small, independent Belgian breweries. Drinkers from all over the world flock to the small bar that was put on the map in the 1980s by Michael Jackson and Tim Webb Thu, 05 May 2016 08:37:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/05/05/daisy-claeys-30-beer-years-in-bruges https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/05/05/daisy-claeys-30-beer-years-in-bruges Bourgogne des Flandres -- Flemish Burgundy -- is a blend of strong brown ale and lambic beer that was brewed in Bruges until the 1950s. Now Anthony Martin, grandson of the founder of the John Martins group that owns Timmermans, Belgium's oldest lambic brewer, has restored the beer to its city of origin with a new brewery that uses open fermenters in the Flemish farmhouse style Sat, 30 Apr 2016 13:16:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/04/30/historic-flemish-beer-restored-to-bruges https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/04/30/historic-flemish-beer-restored-to-bruges Restaurants will attract more customers if they serve beer with food, according to the Society of Independent Brewers that speaks for Britain's independent producers. SIBA says one in three people would visit restaurants more often if they served good beer. The organisation is seeking meetings with top restaurateurs to discuss the vast range of beer styles now available in Britain. Wed, 20 Apr 2016 11:59:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/04/20/restaurants-need-more-bottle-on-the-table https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/04/20/restaurants-need-more-bottle-on-the-table David Bruce, famous for his Firkin brewpubs and now chairman of West Berkshire Brewery, has launched a crowdfunding initiative to raise £1.5 miilion to build a new brewery in the Thames Valley. Bruce, seen standing left with his brewery and sales team, plans a new brewery with 10 times the capacity of the existing plant. He has added Renegade craft beers to the existing cask ales Thu, 31 Mar 2016 10:41:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/03/31/bruce-s-brewery-is-heading-for-the-big-time https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/03/31/bruce-s-brewery-is-heading-for-the-big-time Stewart Brewing at Loanhead near Edinburgh moved to a new site to keep up with demand for its beers -- 65% in cask form -- but is now installing new vessels as sales are growing 20% a year. As well as its own range, including Gold, 80 Shilling and IPA, its micro plant (pictured) is used by students at Heriot-Watt University and members of the public to fashion their own brews Mon, 21 Mar 2016 12:08:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/03/21/drink-stewart-s-beer--or-make-your-own https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/03/21/drink-stewart-s-beer--or-make-your-own Two degrees courses at Nottingham University's Brewing Science Department is attracting students from big and small breweries as well as people keen to make brewing a career. Research work on the courses includes analysing the best use of water, yeast and hops. Some of the investment in the courses comes from SABMiller and this could be affected by the takeover by AB InBev Fri, 04 Mar 2016 09:39:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/03/04/beer-gets-the-appliance-of-science https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/03/04/beer-gets-the-appliance-of-science Cameron's brewery in Hartlepool is bucking the trend. While other family brewers are struggling, the North-east company is building for the future with a traditional tied-house system based on its acquisition of the specialist Head of Steam pub chain. It plans to grow both the pubs and its beer range. Left, the handsome 1970s marble brew house Mon, 22 Feb 2016 09:05:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/02/22/hartlepool-family-brewer-forges-ahead https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/02/22/hartlepool-family-brewer-forges-ahead Woodforde's Brewery in Norfolk has grown impressively to regional status and has won many awards for such brands as Wherry and Headcracker. It was in the forefront of bringing brewing back to the county following brewery closures at the hands of Watneys and Whitbread. Woodforde's has a new head brewer, Belinda Jennings, whio is busily developing new beers Tue, 16 Feb 2016 11:19:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/02/16/brewery-brings-back-pride-to-norfolk-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/02/16/brewery-brings-back-pride-to-norfolk-beer Annick De Splenter is a member of a Belgian brewing dynasty but she has carved a unique route with her Gruut beers that recall the medieval style of using "botanicals" rather than hops for flavour and bitterness. She has just moved to a new site in the centre of Ghent where beer lovers will be able to use her kit to design their own brews Sun, 31 Jan 2016 10:48:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/01/31/annick-s-gruut-beer-is-the-spice-of-life https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/01/31/annick-s-gruut-beer-is-the-spice-of-life Breandan Kearney, annointed Beer Writer of the Year by the British Guild of Beer Writers, is an Irishman who has settled in Ghent to write about Belgian beer and has quickly acquired a big following for his forthright views and tastings on his blog Belgian Smaak. He is seen picking up his award at the guild's annual dinner. Fri, 29 Jan 2016 15:31:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/01/29/breandan-likes-the-smaak-of-belgian-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/01/29/breandan-likes-the-smaak-of-belgian-beer David Grant, managing director of Moorhouse's of Burnley -- famous for Pendle Witches Brew -- says the town has fought back from the nightmare of riots in 2001 and now a real community spirit is aiding the brewery to build its sales. But the beer market is changing and the brewery has had to sell three of its six pubs. Grant is critical of Progressive Beer Duty that doesn't help a company of his size Mon, 18 Jan 2016 19:48:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/01/18/moorhouse-s-in-for-long-haul-in-north-west https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/01/18/moorhouse-s-in-for-long-haul-in-north-west Charrington IPA, once a major brand in London, disappeared in the wake of the takeover frenzy of the late 20th century. But now master brewer Steve Wellington has brought the beer back at the William Worthington Brewery in Burton-on-Trent and restored it to its original strength. Steve is seen on the left with brewing colleagues Caroline Horrabin and Martin Hodson Wed, 16 Dec 2015 09:04:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/12/16/cockney-classic-ipa-recreated-in-burton https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/12/16/cockney-classic-ipa-recreated-in-burton Pubs can be saved if owners have belief in them and are prepared to invest to attract customers. The Queen Charlotte in Windsor has had a £500,000 investment from Punch and Oak Taverns and offers a warm welcome, a great range of beer and imaginative food. In sharp contrast, Spirit's Baton pub in St Albans, unloved and unwanted by the pubco, is to be demolished, robbing its community of a local Mon, 07 Dec 2015 18:07:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/12/07/one-pub-reopens-another-bites-the-dust https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/12/07/one-pub-reopens-another-bites-the-dust Edinburgh's Caledonian Brewery is celebrated for its award-winning Deuchars IPA but it's now expanding its range of beers thanks to the introduction of a small pilot plant called Wee George that, at a cost of £180,000, allows new beers to be trialled and, if successful, are moved to the main brewery. Wee George is run by Ross O'Hara, pictured, a graduate of the local Heriot-Watt University's school of brewing and distilling. Wed, 02 Dec 2015 14:57:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/12/02/wee-george-boosts-caley-s-beer-range https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/12/02/wee-george-boosts-caley-s-beer-range Elgood's elegant Georgian brewery in Wisbech was struggling in the age of micro-breweries and stiff competition from big regionals Adnams and Greene King. But thanks to managing director Belinda Sutton -- representing the fifth generation of the family -- Elgood's is in good shape with a host of new brands, including its own version of Belgian lambic, and a vigorous export policy Thu, 05 Nov 2015 08:09:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/11/05/elgoods-the-fight-back-in-the-fens https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/11/05/elgoods-the-fight-back-in-the-fens Brewers in Bristol are busily pushing back the boundaries of beer with Bristol Beer Factory winning awards for its Milk Stout while Moor is challenging tradition by producing unfined beer made without isinglass finings and where Justin Hawke is replacing glass with real ale in cans. Pictured are Sam Burrows (left) and Simon Bartlett at Bristol Beer Factory Fri, 09 Oct 2015 13:12:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/10/09/bristol-harbours-new-ideas-for-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/10/09/bristol-harbours-new-ideas-for-beer Alan Hinkes has scaled Mount Everest five times and is the only Brit to have climbed all 14 8,000 metre peaks in the Himalayas and Karakoram ranges. When he's not climbing, he enjoys good beer, real ale in particular. He recalls his early drinking, the beer deserts of Newcastle and Scotland in the 1980s, and some of his favourite brews at home and abroad. He's seen here (left) with ranger David Tyson on Great Gable, toasting the Cumbrian peak with a special beer Wed, 07 Oct 2015 17:44:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/10/07/alan-hinkes-up-hill-down-ale https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/10/07/alan-hinkes-up-hill-down-ale Bristol is enjoying a major revival of good pubs and good beer. The fast-growing Brewhouse & Kitchen chain has a new outlet in the Clifton area while trendy King Street is awash with pubs and bars serving a large range of cask ales and craft keg products. The pubs include the imposing Royal Navy Volunteer Inn, in a "town house" dating from the 17th century Sun, 27 Sep 2015 10:53:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/09/27/good-beer-is-all-ship-shape-in-bristol https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/09/27/good-beer-is-all-ship-shape-in-bristol With 900 breweries, Italy is enjoying a remarkable beer boom. It's a country without a beer tradition and the inspiration for craft brewers comes from Belgium, Britain and the United States. Fine beers, including from Sardinia (pictured), were on display at a three-day festival in Rome called Fermentazioni while specialist bars in the city add to drinking pleasure Mon, 21 Sep 2015 16:45:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/09/21/from-the-high-alps-to-sicily-craft-beer-in-italy-is-booming-with-900-small-breweries https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/09/21/from-the-high-alps-to-sicily-craft-beer-in-italy-is-booming-with-900-small-breweries After years in the doldrums following the closure of Friary Meux in the 1960s, there's a major ale revival underway in Surrey. In Farnham, the William Cobbett pub pays homage to the radical writer who championed the cause of ale. Hogs Back Brewery has restored hop growing and the ancient Farnham White Bine variety, while Emily and Miles Stephens (pictured) are brewing in a former farm dairy Sun, 06 Sep 2015 14:45:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/09/06/cobbett-would-hail-surrey-s-ale-revival https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/09/06/cobbett-would-hail-surrey-s-ale-revival Rumours that Harveys of Lewes was stopping production of its Imperial Stout proved to be false -- especially as the beer won two top prizes in August from CAMRA and the World Beer Awards. Far from axing the beer, head brewer Miles Jenner, seen on the left with hop farmer Stuart Highwood, is installing additional equipment to boost production Tue, 01 Sep 2015 18:04:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/09/01/ignore-the-rumours-russian-champion-stout-goes-from-strength-to-strength https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/09/01/ignore-the-rumours-russian-champion-stout-goes-from-strength-to-strength A good way to spend a Saturday is to visit an ancient alehouse on the Romney Marsh in Kent that has been run by the same family for around 100 years and then visit a new brewery producing an excellent range of draught and bottled beers. Doris Jemison, owner of the Red Lion at Snargate, was presented with a special award for being in 30 continuous editions of the Good Beer Guide while Matt Calais (pictured) has given up a successful career in TV to open his brewery Thu, 20 Aug 2015 17:18:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/08/20/beer-old-and-new-on-the-romney-marsh https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/08/20/beer-old-and-new-on-the-romney-marsh Beer and pubs are booming in Newcastle and Gateshead as the area recovers from the loss of heavy industry and carves out a new future. The once derelict Quayside area of Newcastle is now thriving with bars and pubs while new breweries are opening throughout the region, including Northern Alchemy where Carl Kennedy and Andy Aitchinson (pictured) brew in a former shipping container Wed, 29 Jul 2015 09:03:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/07/29/beer-and-pubs-are-the-talk-of-the-toon https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/07/29/beer-and-pubs-are-the-talk-of-the-toon Wylam Brewery, founded just 15 years ago in George Stephenson's birthplace, has ambitious plans to move from its farm buildings near Hadrian's Wall to the splendour of the Palace of Arts in Exhibition Park in Newcastle-on-Tyne. The council should give the go-ahead this autumn but residents in Jesmond may put a spanner in the works. Pictured: Wylam's brewing team of Lee Howourth, Ben Wilkinson, Christopher Lee and Matt Boyle Thu, 16 Jul 2015 09:03:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/07/16/wylam-plans-to-steam-into-newcastle https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/07/16/wylam-plans-to-steam-into-newcastle Wilderen in Belgian Limburg makes beer, gin and whisky and attracts 100,000 visitors to a complex that includes old farm buildings where gin production in the 18th and 19th centuries was on a grand scale. The company is run by husband-and-wife team Mike Janssens and Roniek Van Bree (pictured) who have brought their brewing and design skills to restoring the old buildings Thu, 25 Jun 2015 10:45:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/06/25/wilderen-is-wild-with-beer-whisky-gin https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/06/25/wilderen-is-wild-with-beer-whisky-gin Ter Dolen in the Limburg region of Flanders offers the twin delights of a 16th-century castle and a former farmhouse where Abbey beers are brewed. The complex is run by Mieke Desplenter, a member of the famous Belgian brewing dynasty that also has links to Riva, Liefmans and Gruut. Mon, 22 Jun 2015 09:46:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/06/22/castle-and-farm-offer-great-flanders-ale https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/06/22/castle-and-farm-offer-great-flanders-ale While traditional pubs are closing at an alarming rate, a new type of outlet for beer drinkers has achieved nationwide success. Pop-up pubs are small, utilitarian and based in premises designed for other purposes. Martyn Hiller (pictured) opened the first pop-up pub, the Butchers Arms, in Herne, Kent, 10 years ago and its success should see some 200 small pubs operating by the end of the year. Thu, 18 Jun 2015 13:40:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/06/18/popping-up-all-over-micropub-revolution https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/06/18/popping-up-all-over-micropub-revolution 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 Sun, 14 Jun 2015 10:27:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/06/14/magna-carta-ales-a-toast-to-liberty https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/06/14/magna-carta-ales-a-toast-to-liberty 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. Thu, 04 Jun 2015 10:42:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/06/04/home-brewers-are-cutting-with-the-grain https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/06/04/home-brewers-are-cutting-with-the-grain The Antwerp Arms -- "the Annie" -- in Tottenham, North London, has been saved by its locals. When Enterprise Inns wanted to sell the pub to a property developer, an action group was set up and got the local council to declare the Annie an Asset of Community Value. A co-operative was formed and shareholders raised the cash to buy the pub, which re-opened in April Thu, 21 May 2015 07:51:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/05/21/tottenham-s-annie-spurred-to-success https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/05/21/tottenham-s-annie-spurred-to-success "Brewing with a conscience" are the watch words at Purity Brewery in Warwickshire. Steam is trapped and recycled while water is fed into a wetland system of ponds and reed beds where algae clean it, return it to the brewery and encourage wild life to develop. The brewery is on a farm and spent grain and hops are used as animal feed and compost. Left, brewer Florent Vialan in the new £1.8m brewhouse Fri, 08 May 2015 15:59:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/05/08/purity-beer-with-a-clear-conscience https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/05/08/purity-beer-with-a-clear-conscience Christo Tofalli has turned beer sales round at Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans -- officially Britain's oldest pub -- and now serves more cask beer than keg and lager. He specialises in beers from smaller independent breweries but his landlord, giant pubco Mitchells & Butlers, wants him to concentrate on such brands as Doom Bar and London Pride. Who will come out on top? Wed, 22 Apr 2015 11:24:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/04/22/ancient-inn-sticks-up-for-beer-choice https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/04/22/ancient-inn-sticks-up-for-beer-choice The "beers from the wood" quiet revolution is spreading. It started in the Junction pub in Castleford, West Yorkshire, where owners Neil Midgley and Maureen Shaw have now bought the neighbouring pub to spread the woody word. They plan to install a micro-brewery -- with vessels made of oak. In Leeds, Andy Yuill at the Duck & Drake offers beers served in both oak and metal. Pictured, Neil Midgley (right) with cooper Alastair Simms Fri, 10 Apr 2015 14:08:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/04/10/woodies-on-the-rise-in-yorkshire https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/04/10/woodies-on-the-rise-in-yorkshire Scouse wits say you can get half cut in Gallaghers' pub in Birkenhead without touching a drop of booze. Frank and Sue Gallagher (pictured) are professional hairdressers who fancied running a pub. When they took over the derelict Dispensary pub they not only restored it and changed the name but added a barber's shop as well. Now you can enjoy local cask ales and have a short back and sides. Wed, 25 Mar 2015 18:57:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/03/25/how-to-get-well-cut-in-a-merseyside-pub https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/03/25/how-to-get-well-cut-in-a-merseyside-pub How well does beer match food? Roger Protz helped devise a beer menu for Lussmann's restaurants in Hertfordshire and he invited fellow writer Melissa Cole to join him for lunch in St Albans to see how the beers measured up to the dishes on the menu Fri, 13 Mar 2015 09:28:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/03/13/a-liquid-lunch-with-melissa-cole https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/03/13/a-liquid-lunch-with-melissa-cole Maris Otter, the barley variety favoured by craft brewers, celebrates 50 years in 2015 since it was first grown in Norfolk. It's in great demand even though big farmers and maltsters attempted to phase it out in order to grow more profitable "high yielding" barley. At Crisp's in Norfolk the malt is still produced by the time-honoured "floor malting" method Thu, 12 Feb 2015 09:25:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/02/12/say-happy-birthday-to-a-great-barley https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/02/12/say-happy-birthday-to-a-great-barley Richard Osmond, with a one-barrel 'nano brewery' at the Verulam Arms in St Albans, pays homage to medieval times with Gruit, ale made with the addition of herbs and spices. The beer matches the food in the pub, which uses ingredients foraged from the surrounding countryside. Sun, 08 Feb 2015 09:20:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/02/08/going-wild-over-spiced-up-ale https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/02/08/going-wild-over-spiced-up-ale Bruges had 20 breweries in the 20th century but most were taken over and closed by a giant lager group. But the brewing tradition is being restored. Halve Maan reopened in 2005 and has a smart new brewhouse while both Bourgogne des Flandres and Bryggja will start brewing this year Fri, 30 Jan 2015 10:01:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/01/30/brewing-is-bouncing-back-in-bruges https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/01/30/brewing-is-bouncing-back-in-bruges Marble Brewery is a stalwart of the Manchester brewing scene and among its large range of beers Earl Grey IPA, made with the addition of bergamot, is a major talking point in the region. Pictured are Matthew Howgate (far left) and his team at the brewery. The beers are widely available and can be supped in splendour in the Marble Arch pub just yards from the brewery Mon, 26 Jan 2015 12:41:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/01/26/it-s-time-for-tea-at-manchester-s-marble https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/01/26/it-s-time-for-tea-at-manchester-s-marble Bruges -- Brugge in Flemish -- has long been a beer lovers' treat. But now it has a new Beer Musuem while the main museum, the Historium, has an elegant beer cafe sponsored by Duvel Moortgat (pictured). Brugs Beertje remains one of the world's great beer bars but now there's added delight from Rose Red while Timmermans has opened a beer shop in the city and plans a new brewery to produce the renowned Bourgogne des Flandres ale Mon, 19 Jan 2015 14:08:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/01/19/bruges-paradise-just-got-better https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/01/19/bruges-paradise-just-got-better Beers ranging from classic English bitter to revivalist IPAs, ancient Audit Ales, ale aged in Scottish whisky casks, strong milds and stouts and a London interpretation of Berliner Weisse stand out from the crowd. But top mark goes to Chiltern Brewery's Flanders Pale Ale, a British-Belgian beer that commemorated the links between the two countries forged during World War One. The beer was brewed by Tom Jenkinson (left) and Dave McGovern (right) with a little help -- and hindrance -- from the writer Wed, 31 Dec 2014 18:47:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/12/31/great-beers-that-left-their-mark-in-2014 https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/12/31/great-beers-that-left-their-mark-in-2014 Northampton had two famous neighbouring breweries, Phipps and NBC. Both were destroyed by the large London brewer Watney that killed their ales in preference to keg Red Barrel. The breweries were knocked down to make way for a Carlsberg lager factory. But now the Phipps and NBC beers have risen from the grave and are being brewed again just yards from their original site Mon, 15 Dec 2014 16:15:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/12/15/risen-from-the-grave-beers-watney-killed-are-restored-to-their-northampton-home https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/12/15/risen-from-the-grave-beers-watney-killed-are-restored-to-their-northampton-home Quarr Abbey on the Isle of Wight was destroyed in the 16th century by Henry VIII. But a new monastery was built in the 20th century and now the monks have teamed up with Goddards Brewery on the island to brew Quarr Abbey Ale which uses herbs and spices grown by the monks Fri, 12 Dec 2014 13:45:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/12/12/island-monks-restore-abbey-ale-habit https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/12/12/island-monks-restore-abbey-ale-habit With Christmas on the horizon, brewers are gearing up for the festive season with a range of ales that will keep the cold out and the warmth in. Bateman's Rosey Nosey is building record sales while Adnams has an exclusive beer for Marks & Spencer. Lock the reindeer in the stable and get ready to glow Thu, 04 Dec 2014 13:29:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/12/04/yule-get-sleighed-with-these-xmas-beers https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/12/04/yule-get-sleighed-with-these-xmas-beers East London is becoming a pub desert as more and more locals are pulling down the shutters. And the situation will get worse when West Ham United move away from Upton Park to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford. Pictured: the Old Rose, one of the area's great old boozers but now boarded-up and derelict Mon, 01 Dec 2014 18:58:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/12/01/how-cockneyland-is-losing-its-locals https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/12/01/how-cockneyland-is-losing-its-locals Jane Peyton (pictured) has a mission to bring the glory of malt to drinkers' attention. With so much emphasis on hops, people forget that beer needs grain as it essential raw material. She has joined forces with writer Susannah Forbes to brew a special ale at Brewster's Brewery that will be unveiled in London next week Tue, 25 Nov 2014 15:41:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/11/25/cutting-with-the-grain-to-make-great-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/11/25/cutting-with-the-grain-to-make-great-beer Timmermans is the oldest brewer of lambic and gueuze beer in Belgium dating from 1702 when it started life on a farm. It has restored its reputation after making fruit 'alcopops' and has produces true gueuze and cherry lambic beers under the guidance of revered brewer Willem Van Herreweghen. Pictured: brewer Thomas Vandelanotte taps an oak cask of lambic Sun, 09 Nov 2014 12:43:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/11/09/timmermans-and-the-magical-mystery-tour-that-creates-the-ancient-style-of-lambic-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/11/09/timmermans-and-the-magical-mystery-tour-that-creates-the-ancient-style-of-lambic-beer St George's Distillery in Norfolk has stunned the drinks world by winning the European Whisky of the Year award in the 2015 edition of Jim Murray's international best-selling Whisky Bible. St George's opened in 2006 and was the first new English whisky distillery for a century Tue, 04 Nov 2014 10:35:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/11/04/english-whisky-wins-top-award https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/11/04/english-whisky-wins-top-award Tim Page, CAMRA's new chief executive, is impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment of the campaign's 165,000 members -- but his ambition is to double that figure. He comes from a military background and since leaving the army has run the charity Emmaus followed by a stint as boss of the East Anglian Air Ambulance service Fri, 31 Oct 2014 10:46:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/10/31/camra-s-new-chief-has-sky-high-plans-1 https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/10/31/camra-s-new-chief-has-sky-high-plans-1 Brewmaster Derek Prentice, who worked for Truman's before joining Young's and then Fuller's, has helped the new Truman's Brewery in Hackney Wick to create an Export Pale Ale based on a Victorian recipe, using no fewer than eight hops and the original Truman's yeast Sat, 18 Oct 2014 18:55:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/10/18/beer-legend-prentice-brings-back-a-truman-pale-ale-from-victorian-times https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/10/18/beer-legend-prentice-brings-back-a-truman-pale-ale-from-victorian-times The Red Lion at Snargate in Kent has been run by the same family for more than 100 years and is a fine example of an old ale house that has hardly changed for centuries. Doris Jemison, now in her 80s, still sits in the pub every day, surrounded by WWII memorabilia and traditional pub games Wed, 01 Oct 2014 10:32:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/10/01/the-little-pub-that-time-forgot https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/10/01/the-little-pub-that-time-forgot The Ferry Boat Inn at Thorganby near York closed on 27 September and will become private housing. Gavin Aitchison reports on the sad end to an unspoilt ale house that has been run by the same family since 1934 Sun, 28 Sep 2014 17:28:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/09/28/the-tide-goes-out-at-the-ferry-boat-inn https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/09/28/the-tide-goes-out-at-the-ferry-boat-inn British hops, faced by the threat of extinction, are making a sturdy come back, thanks to the work of Ali Capper (pictured), who farms with her husband Richard in Worcestershire. She has rejuvenated the British Hop Association and working with hop expert Dr Peter Darby has introduced a new variety, Endeavour, which has the citrus notes demanded by many craft brewers Sat, 30 Aug 2014 12:13:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/08/30/britain-s-hops-are-bouncing-back https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/08/30/britain-s-hops-are-bouncing-back Centuries ago British brewers guarded their recipes like state secrets. Now work at Shepherd Neame in Kent has broken beer codes to reveal the pale, IPA and stout brewed in the 19th century while at Brakspear in Henley the brewer used a form of shorthand to stop rivals stealing his recipes. Left, three of the old beers recreated by Shepherd Neame Sat, 09 Aug 2014 09:30:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/08/09/beer-and-the-secrets-in-the-cellar https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/08/09/beer-and-the-secrets-in-the-cellar The brewery at Traquair House in the Scottish Borders dates from the 18th century and was restored by the 20th Laird Peter Maxwell Stuart in 1965. The house and brewery are now run by his daughter Catherine and both House Ale and Jacobite Ale are exported to many countries, including the United States and Italy. The house dates from the 12th century, Mary Queen of Scots had sanctuary there and Bonnie Prince Charlie visited during his campaign to win back the throne Tue, 05 Aug 2014 19:57:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/08/05/unlocking-the-gates-to-traquair-historic-ale https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/08/05/unlocking-the-gates-to-traquair-historic-ale The brewery that produces the revered Sint Bernardus beer in Watou, Belgium, has its roots in the rich history of monastic brewing in Flanders. But, having lost its links to the Sint Sixtus monastery, it is installing a new brewhouse to keep pace with the world-wide demand for its abbey ales Mon, 28 Jul 2014 11:06:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/07/28/rich-in-history-but-sint-bernard-looks-to-the-future-for-world-sales-of-abbey-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/07/28/rich-in-history-but-sint-bernard-looks-to-the-future-for-world-sales-of-abbey-beer Wine expert and Champagne guru Christian Holthausen says beer is more complex than wine due to the use of a wide range of ingredients and can be a better companion at the dining table Fri, 25 Jul 2014 19:44:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/07/25/wine-guru-says-beer-can-be-best-with-food https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/07/25/wine-guru-says-beer-can-be-best-with-food Julie Depypere and Maarten Ghequire, from proud brewing backgrounds, have combined forces to launch De Kazematten, a new brewery built into the city ramparts in Ypres/Ieper in Belgium. The first beer, Wipers Time,s commemorates the newsaper produced by British troops during the war, using an old printing press found in the caves Sat, 19 Jul 2014 14:36:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/07/19/ramparts-brewery-salutes-ypres-wwi-history-and-the-role-of-british-tommies https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/07/19/ramparts-brewery-salutes-ypres-wwi-history-and-the-role-of-british-tommies Neil Midgley loves wood and he uses oak casks made for his pub, the Junction in Castleford, West Yorkshire, to serve a wide range of beers stored in wooden casks in the pub cellar (pictured). A tasting of beer from conventional casks and oak proved that wood can give added dimensions to aroma and flavour Thu, 10 Jul 2014 17:42:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/07/10/the-pub-where-wood-is-in-pole-position https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/07/10/the-pub-where-wood-is-in-pole-position The Cesu Alus brewery in Latvia dates from the 1590s and has produced beers by spontaneous fermentation, ale techniques and the lager method. The brewery is now part of the Finnish Olvi group, which has invested heavily to boost production. The lager beers are well made and properly matured but Baltic stouts and porters are hard to find these days Mon, 23 Jun 2014 15:10:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/06/23/beer-booms-in-baltic-but-stout-hard-to-find https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/06/23/beer-booms-in-baltic-but-stout-hard-to-find Colin Keatley restored good beer and choice to Norwich with his first Fat Cat pub. Now there are three Fat Cats in the city, including one with its own brewery. As well as beers from all over Britain and the rest of the world, the pubs pay homage to the great Norwich breweries destroyed by Watneys in the 1960s and 70s Mon, 16 Jun 2014 05:53:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/06/16/fat-cats-where-drinkers-purr-with-pleasure-and-salute-lost-breweries https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/06/16/fat-cats-where-drinkers-purr-with-pleasure-and-salute-lost-breweries Hogs Back Brewery is planting its own hops -- and has restored the Farnham White Bine variety that disappeared decades ago and was the predecessor of the famous Kent Golding. Brewery chairman Rupert Thompson (in panama hat) is seen with a group of volunteers who helped plant the first bines Fri, 30 May 2014 18:28:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/05/30/surrey-digs-deep-to-restore-hop-tradition https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/05/30/surrey-digs-deep-to-restore-hop-tradition Chiltern Brewery near Aylesbury has created a special strong Flanders Ale that reaches out to all sides involved in the First World War. The style is pale ale that was popular in both Britain and Belgium and it uses both Belgian hops and malt from Germany. Pictured: brewers Tom Jenkinson (left) and Dave McGovern (right) with "assistant brewer" Roger Protz Tue, 20 May 2014 19:28:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/05/20/flanders-ale-salutes-tommies-belgians https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/05/20/flanders-ale-salutes-tommies-belgians Golden Ale is thought of as a relatively new addition to the portfolio of beer styles. But when Shepherd Neame was digging into 19th century recipe books it discovered that a golden Brilliant Ale was brewed before IPA and became a brewery best seller. Pictured are the three beers in Shep's Classic Collection of recreated beers from Victorian times Fri, 02 May 2014 13:54:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/05/02/golden-ale-beer-style-that-s-a-golden-oldie https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/05/02/golden-ale-beer-style-that-s-a-golden-oldie The fourth City of Ale will be a festival of good beer and good pubs from 22 May to 1 June. Brewers throughout East Anglia and pubs in the city will join forces to promote the region's great range of fine ales. City of Ale is the brainchild of Dawn Leeder and Phil Cutter, seen in the Compleat Angler, one of many pubs in the city supporting the festival. Thu, 01 May 2014 11:29:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/05/01/norwich-gears-up-for-beer-bonanza https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/05/01/norwich-gears-up-for-beer-bonanza The Fox & Goose pub in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, looked doomed to close when the landlady became ill. But locals formed a co-op that raised the money to pub the local and save it from the hands of the dreaded 'pubcos' Thu, 17 Apr 2014 16:51:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/04/17/why-the-fox-s-goose-wasn-t-cooked https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/04/17/why-the-fox-s-goose-wasn-t-cooked European law may not allow it to be called lambic but Elgood's Brewery in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, is brewing beers made by spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts in the atmosphere. And the first batch of Coolship has taken the United States by storm. Pictured: head brewer Alan Pateman watches the latest batch of Coolship flooding into the open cooling trays Sat, 12 Apr 2014 19:07:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/04/12/steaming-ahead-a-belgian-style-wild-beer-is-brewed-on-the-edge-of-the-english-fens https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/04/12/steaming-ahead-a-belgian-style-wild-beer-is-brewed-on-the-edge-of-the-english-fens After 10 days of fermentation and seven days of conditioning, my Irish Extra Stout, made with the BruBox system, is ready to taste. Will it be heaven or hell? Wed, 09 Apr 2014 10:54:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/04/09/my-home-brew-it-s-time-for-the-taste-test https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/04/09/my-home-brew-it-s-time-for-the-taste-test England's hop farmers are under siege as more and more breweries switch to imported varieties. Growers such as Ali Capper (pictured) are leading the fightback by developing new varieties with modern aromas and flavours Thu, 03 Apr 2014 10:57:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/04/03/hopping-for-the-best-to-save-beer-flavour https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/04/03/hopping-for-the-best-to-save-beer-flavour After many failed attempts at brewing my own beer, I accept a challenge to make a stout from a -- hopefully -- risk-free BruBox. A progress report on the first stage and a little trouble with temperature... Sat, 29 Mar 2014 19:12:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/03/29/home-brewing-made-easy-i-hope-1 https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/03/29/home-brewing-made-easy-i-hope-1 Antwerp is packed with fine bars and taverns, many of them dating back hundreds of years . Robert Dyserynck and Ann Carruet organise Beer Pilgrimages that take beer lovers on a tour of the city's finest hostelries, with time for a small beer at each stop Mon, 24 Mar 2014 18:39:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/03/24/rob-and-ann-promise-a-beer-pilgrimage-to-the-historic-taverns-of-old-antwerp https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/03/24/rob-and-ann-promise-a-beer-pilgrimage-to-the-historic-taverns-of-old-antwerp The Maxim Brewery in Houghton le Spring has risen from the ashes of tVaux, a large Sunderland brewery asset stripped and closed in the late 1990s. Now Mark Anderson (pictured) and his team have brought back Double Maxim, a legendary strong brown ale, and other Vaux and Wards beers to the region Fri, 21 Mar 2014 09:13:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/03/21/maxim-back-at-the-double-to-avenge-the-tragic-loss-of-asset-stripped-giant-vaux https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/03/21/maxim-back-at-the-double-to-avenge-the-tragic-loss-of-asset-stripped-giant-vaux De Rooden Hoed -- the Red Hat -- dates from the 18th century and is a former coaching inn alongside Antwerp cathedral. Today it offers fine dining, with each course carefully and meticulously matched by a great Belgian beer, including the local De Koninck ale that's celebrated in style on the restaurant wall Sun, 16 Mar 2014 17:14:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/03/16/hang-your-hat-at-an-antwerp-cafe-where-fine-food-is-matched-with-belgian-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/03/16/hang-your-hat-at-an-antwerp-cafe-where-fine-food-is-matched-with-belgian-beer The docks in the great Belgian city of Antwerp closed in the 1960s but now a warehouse that once stored coffee and tobacco is home to 't Pakhuis brewery and restaurant. Hans Bombeke (left), a tireless lecturer and beer taster in Antwerp, brews there with regular brewer Hans Jensen (centre) and manager Kristof Van Den Ouweland Mon, 10 Mar 2014 08:26:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/03/10/from-the-ashes-of-antwerp-s-docks-rises-t-pakhuis-a-brew-pub-with-awesome-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/03/10/from-the-ashes-of-antwerp-s-docks-rises-t-pakhuis-a-brew-pub-with-awesome-beer Family-owned McMullen's brewery in Hertford has its eyes on London. It has added to its existing pubs in the capital with four more, including the Old Bank of England next to the Law Courts (pictured). The brewery also has outlets in Essex, Berkshire and Hampshire. Fergus McMullen says food is increasingly important to his pubs but sales of his cask beers, including the historic AK, are doing well Sat, 08 Mar 2014 11:35:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/03/08/country-brewer-heads-for-the-smoke https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/03/08/country-brewer-heads-for-the-smoke Jaclyn and Stuart Bateman are the fourth generation to run the family brewery in Wainfleet, Lincolnshire, and Stuart says he's fed up with being told he's not a 'craft brewer' because it's not a new company. Batemans has responded defiantly by rebranding its ales as craft beers Mon, 03 Mar 2014 09:50:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/03/03/bullish-batemans-rebrands-its-craft-ales-with-140-years-of-family-heritage https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/03/03/bullish-batemans-rebrands-its-craft-ales-with-140-years-of-family-heritage Robinson's brewery in Stockport is a giant of the North-west, with more than 300 pubs and a brand-new brewhouse built at the cost of £6 million. As well as its regular cask ales, Robinsons has won world-wide acclaim for its Trooper beer, an unlikely collaboration with heavy metal rock group Iron Maiden Sat, 08 Feb 2014 12:39:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/02/08/heavy-metal-beer-gets-robinsons-rocking https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/02/08/heavy-metal-beer-gets-robinsons-rocking Marston's top brewer Richard Westwood (pictured) is planning to turn several of the group's beers into bottle-conditioned versions thanks to the brewery's new bottling plant in Burton-on-Trent. And Old Empire IPA is high on the agenda with Owd Rodger a possible contender Thu, 06 Feb 2014 17:05:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/02/06/more-live-beers-planned-in-burton https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/02/06/more-live-beers-planned-in-burton A Guardian trip to Antwerp offers "dinner with wine". Visitors would be best advised to sample some of the great beers of Belgium in specialist bars and restaurants such as Bier Central Wed, 05 Feb 2014 11:38:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/02/05/antwerp-it-s-city-of-beer-not-wine https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/02/05/antwerp-it-s-city-of-beer-not-wine Legendary brewer and pub owner David Bruce -- of Firkin and Slug & Lettuce fame -- is back in business as chairman of West Berkshire Brewery. He is pictured (far left) with brewer Will Twomey and founders Helen and Dave Maggs. There are plans for a new brewery site and expanded sales, with shares on offer to friends, family and supporters in the Thames Valley Thu, 23 Jan 2014 09:56:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/01/23/bruce-bounces-back-in-berkshire https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/01/23/bruce-bounces-back-in-berkshire The Het Anker brewery dates from the 16th century when sisters in a beguinage brewed beer for the sick. In the 20th century, the owners abandoned Pils and returned to ale brewing and have achieved international success with the Gouden Carolus range. They have even added a version of the beer matured in single malt whisky casks from Scotland. Sat, 18 Jan 2014 09:45:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/01/18/mechelen-beer-is-the-anker-of-the-soul https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/01/18/mechelen-beer-is-the-anker-of-the-soul Peter Austin is hailed as the Father of Micro-brewing. Starting with Ringwood in Hampshire in the late 1970s, he built specialist craft breweries throughout the world. His greatest impact was in the United States and Britain where his legacy can be counted on the large number of small breweries operating today Thu, 09 Jan 2014 19:14:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/01/09/peter-austin-father-of-micro-brewing https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/01/09/peter-austin-father-of-micro-brewing Bosteels Brewery, dating from 1791, is older than its host country. It's still family owned and run by the sixth and seventh generations, Ivo and Antoine. They are renowned for their multi-award-winning Tripel Karmeliet, the idiosyncratic Pauwel Kwak served from a glass in a wooden shoe, and Deus, which reaches maturity in Champagne cellars in France Mon, 30 Dec 2013 12:02:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/12/30/a-brewery-that-s-older-than-belgium https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/12/30/a-brewery-that-s-older-than-belgium Trappist monks at Westmalle Abbey near Antwerp in Flanders created a new Belgian style with their strong Tripel pale beer. But they also brew a flavoursome dark beer, Dubbel, in a brewhouse of startling Art Deco design surrounded by Gothic church buildings Thu, 19 Dec 2013 09:31:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/12/19/how-the-monks-of-westmalle-bring-double-and-triple-pleasure-with-their-strong-ales https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/12/19/how-the-monks-of-westmalle-bring-double-and-triple-pleasure-with-their-strong-ales Sean Franklin coined the phrase "hops are the grapes of brewing" and set out to create beers with powerful citrus character. Now his pioneering work in Yorkshire is being continued by the Fozard brothers with a helping hand from father Ian Tue, 17 Dec 2013 10:58:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/12/17/rooster-s-new-owners-build-on-sean-franklin-s-bold-yorkshire-hop-heritage https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/12/17/rooster-s-new-owners-build-on-sean-franklin-s-bold-yorkshire-hop-heritage Inside the massive Greene King brewery in Bury St Edmunds a new small plant has been installed to produce small-run beers aimed at the fast-growing craft sector. The new range includes pale ale, IPA and porter and the legendary Strong Suffolk Ale Sat, 07 Dec 2013 19:21:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/12/07/greene-king-bid-to-prove-small-is-beautiful https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/12/07/greene-king-bid-to-prove-small-is-beautiful After intense lobbying, Marston's has restored Brakspear Triple to bottle-conditioned format. As with the great Trappist ales of Belgium (Chimay beers pictured) ageing in bottle gives beer greater depth of flavour Sat, 30 Nov 2013 12:40:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/11/30/a-spoonful-of-yeast-makes-beer-age-well https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/11/30/a-spoonful-of-yeast-makes-beer-age-well Petra Wetzel has taken Glasgow by storm. In the course of a few years she has built the success and reputation of WEST, a Bavarian-style beer hall with a brewery producing lagers and wheat beers to the ancient Pure Beer Law. Now she has funding to build a new brewery on the outskirts of the city Fri, 29 Nov 2013 20:10:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/11/29/how-petra-wetzel-went-west-to-give-glaswegians-a-taste-of-real-german-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/11/29/how-petra-wetzel-went-west-to-give-glaswegians-a-taste-of-real-german-beer The Mayflower on the south bank of the Thames marks the spot where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America in 1620. Lovingly restored, you can marvel at the beams, settles and latticed windows...and enjoy good ale and food Tue, 26 Nov 2013 12:46:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/11/26/mayflower-one-of-london-s-pub-gems https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/11/26/mayflower-one-of-london-s-pub-gems The Val-Dieu and Bellevaux breweries in the eastern region of Belgium, near Liege, maintain the ancient traditions of brewing in abbeys -- Val-Dieu beers are pictured with the local Herve cheese -- and on farms. Val-Dieu has lost its monks and brewing is now conducted by a woman "brewster". Near Malmedy, Carla and Wil Schuwer from the Netherlands have opened a rustic brewery in the rolling Ardennes Fri, 08 Nov 2013 11:33:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/11/08/abbey-and-farm-brewers-keep-the-faith-in-belgium-s-eastern-region-around-liege https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/11/08/abbey-and-farm-brewers-keep-the-faith-in-belgium-s-eastern-region-around-liege William Nicholson, a 19th-century gin distiller in London, was also a keen cricketer who helped fund Lord's ground. His company bought Victorian "gin palaces" that form the bedrock of modern Nicholson's pubs, which stages a major beer festival until the middle of November. Some of the pubs, such as the Coal Hole in London's Strand, have more humble origins Mon, 21 Oct 2013 10:43:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/10/21/how-cricket-and-victorian-gin-palaces-combine-to-drive-nicholson-s-beer-festivals https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/10/21/how-cricket-and-victorian-gin-palaces-combine-to-drive-nicholson-s-beer-festivals Teo Musso (third from left with his brewery team), started with a beer tent in Piedmont and now has bistros in key Italian cities. He is offering drinkers a range of beers that are in sharp contrast to mainstream "industrial lagers". A new Baladin bistro has opened in Milan and is attracting a large audience Tue, 24 Sep 2013 07:09:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/09/24/teo-musso-the-rebel-with-a-cause-who-has-changed-the-face-of-brewing-in-italy https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/09/24/teo-musso-the-rebel-with-a-cause-who-has-changed-the-face-of-brewing-in-italy Greene King boss Rooney Anand has transformed the fortunes of the Suffolk-based brewing and pubs groups. Now he's installing a new brewhouse where a wide range of short-run beers will add to the appeal of his pubs Mon, 23 Sep 2013 04:36:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/09/23/new-brewery-new-beers-as-greene-king-looks-to-the-future-with-big-choice-of-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/09/23/new-brewery-new-beers-as-greene-king-looks-to-the-future-with-big-choice-of-pubs On the Hereford-Worcester border, hop farmer Ali Capper, with her husband Richard, is attempting to raise the profile of British hops. They argue that the 23 varieties of hops grown in Britain offer brewers all the aromas and flavours they need to make distinctive beer Wed, 18 Sep 2013 07:33:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/09/18/picking-a-fight-ali-capper-leads-the-battle-to-boost-the-fortunes-of-home-grown-hops https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/09/18/picking-a-fight-ali-capper-leads-the-battle-to-boost-the-fortunes-of-home-grown-hops There are now more than 500 small craft breweries in Italy and several were on display at the Great British Beer Festival in London. They were promoted by leading beer writers Luca Giaccone (left) and Lorenzo Dabove, better known as Kuaska, and a long-standing champion of Italian craft beer Thu, 22 Aug 2013 06:51:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/08/22/time-to-take-the-grand-tour-of-italy-as-craft-beer-booms-from-como-to-naples https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/08/22/time-to-take-the-grand-tour-of-italy-as-craft-beer-booms-from-como-to-naples Sophie Atherton is the first ever woman beer sommelier and in July she was given the prestigious award of Beer Sommelier of the Year by the Parliamentary Beer Club. Now she plans to raise the appreciation of beer and stop it being seen as wine's poor relation. She's pictured at the Great British Beer Festival Tue, 20 Aug 2013 11:39:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/08/20/early-love-of-pubs-and-ale-set-sophie-on-course-to-become-a-top-beer-writer-and-taster https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/08/20/early-love-of-pubs-and-ale-set-sophie-on-course-to-become-a-top-beer-writer-and-taster Hogs Back Brewery is recording a big increase in sales and is busily expanding the site to cope with demand. As well as its core range of ales, the brewery has added a cloudy cider and a properly matured lager Sun, 11 Aug 2013 13:04:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/08/11/they-re-brewing-high-on-the-hog-in-surrey https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/08/11/they-re-brewing-high-on-the-hog-in-surrey The Boot Inn in St Albans market place dates from the early 15th century and soldiers fighting in the Wars of the Roses drank there. Now the pub has been given special recognition from the Battlefields Trust. Photo -- courtesy of Herts Advertiser -- shows Harvey Watson (left) from the trust presenting landlord Will Hughes with his presentation panel Thu, 01 Aug 2013 05:39:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/08/01/battlefield-award-for-historic-st-albans-pub https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/08/01/battlefield-award-for-historic-st-albans-pub Professor Freddy Delvaux, revered as an expert in brewing, has restored the old De Kroon brewery and, with his sons, turned it into a vibrant museum and visitor centre. And alongside they run a major laboratory that stores and analyses yeast cultures, working with many leading Belgian breweries. Image shows Peter (left), Freddy and Filp Delvaux Sun, 28 Jul 2013 14:52:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/07/28/flanders-beer-trail-4-professor-and-his-sons-restore-a-belgian-crowning-glory https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/07/28/flanders-beer-trail-4-professor-and-his-sons-restore-a-belgian-crowning-glory Top brewmaster Garrett Oliver, editor of the Oxford Companion to Beer, searches the world for good beer. Inspired by Carnegie Porter, his next venture is to build a brewery in Stockholm to provide Swedes with good beer to match their fine food Tue, 16 Jul 2013 15:30:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/07/16/globe-trotting-garrett-takes-brooklyn-to-stockholm-to-give-swedes-some-fine-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/07/16/globe-trotting-garrett-takes-brooklyn-to-stockholm-to-give-swedes-some-fine-beer Hoegaarden in Belgium was a town made famous by Pierre Celis and his spiced wheat beer. His brewery is now part of global giant AB InBev but Mieke De Backer and Jan De Wachter (pictured) maintain Celis's tradition of artisan brewing with their small Nieuwhuys plant where they make blond and dark beer...and a drop of geneva Wed, 10 Jul 2013 14:57:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/07/10/flanders-beer-trail-3-husband-and-wife-team-bring-pride-back-to-hoegaarden https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/07/10/flanders-beer-trail-3-husband-and-wife-team-bring-pride-back-to-hoegaarden In Norwich, the National Collection of Yeast Cultures is helping to restore the famous London brewing name of Truman's by supplying the yeast cultures that once produced Mild, Porter and Pale Ale in Brick Lane, Whitechapel. Pictured are Benedikt Ott, Truman's brewer, with Vincent Johnson, who has installed the new brewing kit at Hackney Wick Mon, 08 Jul 2013 08:33:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/07/08/yeast-brings-truman-s-hopping-back-to-life https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/07/08/yeast-brings-truman-s-hopping-back-to-life Frank Boon -- pronounced 'bone' -- is one of the classic brewers of lambic and gueuze, the Belgian beers made by spontaneous fermentation with long ageing in wood. He cuts no corners and sticks firmly to tradition even though he has a new, modern brewhouse Tue, 02 Jul 2013 21:08:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/07/02/flanders-beer-trail-2-no-boon-of-contention-in-classic-lambic-brewery https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/07/02/flanders-beer-trail-2-no-boon-of-contention-in-classic-lambic-brewery Deep in the countryside of Flemish Brabant, near the university city of Leuven, the Janssens family are farmers who grow their own barley and hops to fashion their farmhouse beers and age stronger beer is oak casks from the whisky and wine industries Fri, 28 Jun 2013 17:43:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/06/28/flanders-beer-trail-1-chicory-and-whisky-add-flavour-to-farmhouse-beer-in-brabant https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/06/28/flanders-beer-trail-1-chicory-and-whisky-add-flavour-to-farmhouse-beer-in-brabant The Six Bells in St Michaels Village, St Albans, has won several awards from CAMRA for the quality of its cask ales. Jo and Patrick Remmington have history, from as far back as Roman times, all around them but they have to live in a real world of intense competition in the pub trade Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:06:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/06/17/ring-the-chimes-for-a-pub-with-history-and-prize-winning-beers-with-that-local-touch https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/06/17/ring-the-chimes-for-a-pub-with-history-and-prize-winning-beers-with-that-local-touch From the archive November 2011: beers brewed by Trappist monks at the Westvleteren abbey in Belgium are eagerly awaited and can be bought only when the message goes out over the bush telegraph that a new brew is available. Pictured: Brother Joris in the brewhouse Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:51:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/06/11/waiting-in-line-for-the-beers-from-the-quietest-of-all-belgian-trappist-monks https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/06/11/waiting-in-line-for-the-beers-from-the-quietest-of-all-belgian-trappist-monks Meantime's brewmaster has to pinch himself to believe the awesome success of his South London brewery. His lagers and pale ales are in great demand in the capital and beer sales are growing so fast he may need new premises in three years' time Sat, 25 May 2013 18:55:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/05/25/alastair-hook-leads-the-great-beer-revival-in-london-and-is-fast-running-out-of-space https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/05/25/alastair-hook-leads-the-great-beer-revival-in-london-and-is-fast-running-out-of-space When a pub in South London was threatened with closure to be turned into private housing, loyal customers banded together to raise the funds to buy it. Now the Ivy House, once a major 'pub rock' venue, will reopen later this year Wed, 08 May 2013 08:26:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/05/08/clinging-to-the-ivy-how-locals-united-to-save-pub-that-hosted-top-name-rock-stars https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/05/08/clinging-to-the-ivy-how-locals-united-to-save-pub-that-hosted-top-name-rock-stars The Black Horse pub in Barnet, North London, has its own small brewery and its beers use the finest Maris Otter malting barley grown by farmer Teddy Maufe in Norfolk, who uses solar panels to ensure his grain gets maximum sunshine Sat, 04 May 2013 10:06:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/05/04/sun-kissed-malt-boosts-new-pub-brewery https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/05/04/sun-kissed-malt-boosts-new-pub-brewery As Marston's launches its Single Hop beers for 2013, Simon Yates discusses the essential ingredients of the amazing plant that adds aroma and bitterness to beer Sat, 13 Apr 2013 10:45:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/04/13/unravelling-the-mystery-of-the-hop-a-master-class-by-marston-s-top-brewer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/04/13/unravelling-the-mystery-of-the-hop-a-master-class-by-marston-s-top-brewer Graham Yates has brewed beer and pulled pints at the Brunswick Inn in Derby for more than a decade. But now he's retired, leaving the world's first railway workers' pub in good hands for the future Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:05:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/04/09/legendary-publican-calls-time-at-derby-s-famous-railway-tavern-and-microbrewery https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/04/09/legendary-publican-calls-time-at-derby-s-famous-railway-tavern-and-microbrewery The stunning medieval town of Bamberg in German Franconia is famous for its Rauch or smoked beer, with malt cured over beechwood to give a distinctive tang to the beer. Sat, 09 Mar 2013 13:52:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/03/09/smoking-out-the-great-beers-of-bamberg https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/03/09/smoking-out-the-great-beers-of-bamberg Hook Norton, the most traditional of English breweries, with wooden mash tuns and fermenters, and deliveries by horse-drawn drays, has launched a new beer aimed at modern younger drinkers Wed, 27 Feb 2013 14:58:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/02/27/hooky-s-lion-roars-over-the-cotswolds https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/02/27/hooky-s-lion-roars-over-the-cotswolds One of Belgium's famous cities stages a beer festival in a magnificent medieval setting. There are also great bars to enjoy, such as 't Brugs Beertje (left) while a 19th-century brewery has reopened. And there's a brilliant guide book to help you find the best bars Thu, 07 Feb 2013 08:34:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/02/07/in-bruges-for-beer-bars-and-a-brewery https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/02/07/in-bruges-for-beer-bars-and-a-brewery The Konrad Brewery in the Czech Republic survived Nazi occupation and 50 years of state ownership but was axed by Bass in 1998. But now it's back under Czech control,selling beer to many export markets and keen to establish itself in Britain Mon, 21 Jan 2013 13:44:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/01/21/bounced-czech-is-back-in-business https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/01/21/bounced-czech-is-back-in-business As two young entrepreneurs prepare to bring back the name of Truman's, a look back at how the original London brewery was axed in the mad property scramble of the 1960s and 70s Sat, 19 Jan 2013 07:41:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/01/19/how-a-london-giant-was-sent-to-its-grave https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/01/19/how-a-london-giant-was-sent-to-its-grave Andrei Lussmann has won coveted awards for his food and has now added to customers' pleasure with a menu featuring beers from some of Britain's top craft brewers Wed, 09 Jan 2013 09:20:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/01/09/beer-on-the-menu-at-award-winning-restaurants https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/01/09/beer-on-the-menu-at-award-winning-restaurants Follow the wonderful world of brewing in this video shot exclusively for protzonbeer.co.uk. John Bexon, head brewer at Greene King, takes Roger Protz round his traditional brew house and fermenting area, taking in the ancient wooden vats where Strong Suffolk is matured. They then taste and discuss a range of Suffolk beer. Mon, 31 Dec 2012 15:30:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/12/31/the-magic-of-brewing-the-joy-of-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/12/31/the-magic-of-brewing-the-joy-of-beer Truman's Brewery, once an East End colossus, will rise from the ashes in March when a new site opens in Hackney Wick and will restore a name beloved by legions of cockney drinkers Fri, 14 Dec 2012 09:10:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/12/14/truman-s-the-eagle-has-almost-landed https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/12/14/truman-s-the-eagle-has-almost-landed From the archive: how breweries are using whisky casks to develop new flavours in beer, including the Ola Dubh range brewed by Stewart Cail (left) at Harviestoun in Alva Sat, 17 Nov 2012 14:06:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/11/17/beer-and-whisky-from-the-mists-of-time-a-marriage-made-in-the-scottish-highlands https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/11/17/beer-and-whisky-from-the-mists-of-time-a-marriage-made-in-the-scottish-highlands In 1992 Paul Theakston of the famous Masham brewing clan, launched his own brewery with a business plan aimed solely at the free trade. Today Black Sheep ales are on sale in 1,000 pubs and bottled beers are available nationwide. Paul has now handed over day-to-day control to his sons Rob and Jo but he keeps a fatherly eye on the business and has helped devise a celebration beer to mark 20 years of success Mon, 12 Nov 2012 17:08:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/11/12/up-hill-down-dale-20-years-of-black-sheep-s-remarkable-brewing-success https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/11/12/up-hill-down-dale-20-years-of-black-sheep-s-remarkable-brewing-success Strong Suffolk Ale, brewed by Greene King, is a potent link with 'country beers' brewed in the 18th century. It's a blend of two beers: the strongest is Old 5X aged in wooden vats for between one and two years. Now there's growing demand for Old 5X to be bottled as a separate beer Wed, 24 Oct 2012 12:56:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/10/24/x-marks-the-spot-for-historic-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/10/24/x-marks-the-spot-for-historic-beer Batemans in Lincolnshire is a sturdy member of the small number of surviving family brewers. In the hands of the younger generation of Jaclyn and Stuart Bateman, the brewery is carving new routes to market by overhauling its beer range and improving its pub estate. Pictured: the Carpenters Arms in Boston Sat, 20 Oct 2012 09:42:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/10/20/family-brewer-keeps-the-flag-flying https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/10/20/family-brewer-keeps-the-flag-flying The English hop industry could die within a decade unless British brewers start to use more home-grown varieties. Once a major industry -- image shows hop pickers in the early 20th century -- it's now withering on the bine Wed, 10 Oct 2012 13:12:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/10/10/time-to-stand-up-for-english-hops https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/10/10/time-to-stand-up-for-english-hops In a speech to MCC members at Lord's cricket ground on 8 October I outlined the historic links between beer and cricket, where the laws of the game were drawn up at the Bat & Ball pub in Hambledon (left), and then conducted a tasting of beers from breweries close to Test grounds Tue, 09 Oct 2012 10:13:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/10/09/never-stumped-for-a-good-pint https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/10/09/never-stumped-for-a-good-pint Tim Martin (left), founder of J D Wetherspoon, reported healthy profits but he will open fewer pubs this year as a result of the tax burden. He attacks the government for both high rates of duty and 'stealth taxes' that cost him £4 million a year -- but he's firmly against minimum pricing. Sun, 16 Sep 2012 07:52:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/09/16/beer-taxes-stop-crippling-pubs-says-w-spoon-boss-in-plea-to-government https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/09/16/beer-taxes-stop-crippling-pubs-says-w-spoon-boss-in-plea-to-government After years of domination by the Big Two, there are now 20 craft breweries in Ireland that are at long last offering drinkers a diverse range of ales, stouts and lagers. Xavier Baker (pictured) is just one of many independent brewers rolling back the tidal wave of the global giants' stouts Sun, 09 Sep 2012 11:14:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/09/09/good-beer-and-choice-return-to-ireland https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/09/09/good-beer-and-choice-return-to-ireland Jonathan Neame, chief executive of major regional brewer Shepherd Neame, says the "duty escalator" is doing great harm to pubs that are the centres of their communities Wed, 05 Sep 2012 12:24:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/09/05/neame-government-must-act-to-stop-beer-tax-killing-pubs-and-the-working-man-s-pint https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/09/05/neame-government-must-act-to-stop-beer-tax-killing-pubs-and-the-working-man-s-pint The chairman of the Campaign for Real Ale says pub closures must be tackled, the beer duty escalator has to be scrapped and if some brewers want to make keg beer -- 'be my guest' Fri, 17 Aug 2012 10:16:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/08/17/camra-s-colin-valentine-on-the-major-challenges-facing-the-booming-campaign https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/08/17/camra-s-colin-valentine-on-the-major-challenges-facing-the-booming-campaign The 2012 GBBF will be more than just a beer festival -- it's a celebration of the remarkable revival of beer on a world scale Sun, 22 Jul 2012 09:02:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/07/22/go-for-gold-at-london-s-beer-olympics https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/07/22/go-for-gold-at-london-s-beer-olympics Sink or Swim, a strong India Pale Ale, brewed to a Victorian recipe, and aged for five months, is now on sale -- in half pints only -- at the Hop Pole pub in Aylesbury Sat, 21 Jul 2012 05:25:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/07/21/aylesbury-ipa-breaks-its-duck https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/07/21/aylesbury-ipa-breaks-its-duck Fordham and Old Dominion beers from Delaware have links to America's pre-revolutionary period and they are now on sale in Britain in bottle and on tap Sun, 15 Jul 2012 13:35:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/07/15/american-beers-with-colonial-history-hit-british-bars-and-specialist-retailers https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/07/15/american-beers-with-colonial-history-hit-british-bars-and-specialist-retailers Stratford may be a 'Heineken exclusion zone' for the Olympics but you can enjoy good beer in the Kings Cross/St Pancras area before heading east. Pictured is Fuller's new Parcel Yard at Kings Cross Sat, 14 Jul 2012 04:49:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/07/14/look-north-for-a-decent-pint-before-heading-east-for-olympics-stadium https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/07/14/look-north-for-a-decent-pint-before-heading-east-for-olympics-stadium An open letter to the Economic Secretary to the Treasury who supports the Beer Duty Escalator Thu, 12 Jul 2012 02:13:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/07/12/get-off-the-escalator-ms-smith https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/07/12/get-off-the-escalator-ms-smith The Farriers Arms in St Albans flew the real ale flag in the 1970s and is now visited by legions of cask beer drinkers anxious to worship at at the shrine where first CAMRA branch was founded Thu, 28 Jun 2012 08:22:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/06/28/great-little-local-at-heart-of-cask-revolution https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/06/28/great-little-local-at-heart-of-cask-revolution Head brewer Stuart Howe has brought his love of Belgian beer to his brewery at Rock where he has launched the first in a new range of full-tasting, complex, bottle-conditioned ales Thu, 14 Jun 2012 10:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/06/14/belgium-comes-to-cornwall-with-sharp-s-new-range-of-connoisseurs-bottled-beers https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/06/14/belgium-comes-to-cornwall-with-sharp-s-new-range-of-connoisseurs-bottled-beers Inspired by the Victorian railway pioneer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Box Steam Brewery in Wiltshire has launched three of its cask beers in bottled form for the pleasure of both ale lovers and steam buffs Mon, 11 Jun 2012 12:27:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/06/11/brunel-beers-steam-ahead https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/06/11/brunel-beers-steam-ahead William Worthington's White Shield, now safely back in its original Burton home, has been given an elegant new bottle design to further boost its sales revival Thu, 07 Jun 2012 20:25:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/06/07/new-livery-for-historic-burton-ipa https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/06/07/new-livery-for-historic-burton-ipa Elgood's brewery in Wisbech dates from Georgian times and is under pressure from both large regionals and micros. But Belinda, Claire and Jennifer are carving our new routes to market to save the brewery for future generations Fri, 01 Jun 2012 09:13:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/06/01/three-sisters-are-keeping-their-fenland-family-brewery-safe-for-the-future https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/06/01/three-sisters-are-keeping-their-fenland-family-brewery-safe-for-the-future Ampleforth Abbey in Yorkshire is to launch a beer that helps bring back the brewing tradition lost at the time of the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII. Benedictines brewed in exile in France Sun, 27 May 2012 15:09:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/05/27/yorkshire-monks-restore-the-abbey-habit https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/05/27/yorkshire-monks-restore-the-abbey-habit A beer that has won more Champion Beer of Britain awards than any other was first brewed in 1952 and is now one of Britain's key national premium ales Sun, 20 May 2012 10:49:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/05/20/taylor-s-landlord-notches-up-60-years https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/05/20/taylor-s-landlord-notches-up-60-years Dave Wickett, owner of the Fat Cat pub and Kelham Island brewery in Sheffield, has died after a long battle with cancer. He was a major figure of the 'real ale revolution' and inspired a legion of new micro-brewers to follow his path Thu, 17 May 2012 16:32:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/05/17/dave-wickett-the-man-who-brought-back-beer-and-pride-to-sheffield-s-steel-city https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/05/17/dave-wickett-the-man-who-brought-back-beer-and-pride-to-sheffield-s-steel-city In a major interview, Budweiser Budvar boss Jiri Bocek reveals a government scheme to strip the brewery of key export markets and end the trademark dispute to AB InBev's advantage. He outlines how a leading Czech entrepreneur engineered the sale of the Mestansky Brewery -- which also owns the Budweiser trademark -- to AB InBev and he is sharply critical of the role of global brewers interested only in making profits rather than good beer Thu, 10 May 2012 08:56:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/05/10/bounced-czech-the-plot-to-do-down-budvar https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/05/10/bounced-czech-the-plot-to-do-down-budvar The capital was once dubbed a 'beer desert' but today there are close to two dozen breweries bringing fine tasting ales back to London. Some of the breweries, such as Meantime (left) and Sambrooks, have grown to the size of small regionals Sun, 06 May 2012 11:15:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/05/06/london-beer-reborn https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/05/06/london-beer-reborn It was once simply called 'P' then in 1952 a competition at Marston's brought forth the name of Pedigree, a beer still brewed with the world-famous Union Sets (left) Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:38:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/04/20/pedigree-hits-60-happy-birthday-to-classic-burton-ale https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/04/20/pedigree-hits-60-happy-birthday-to-classic-burton-ale The Queen's Head near Cambridge is a historic inn that was closed when a London family bought it and breathed life back into the community. It's been in every edition of the Good Beer Guide Sun, 15 Apr 2012 12:09:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/04/15/how-the-shorts-saved-historic-country-inn https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/04/15/how-the-shorts-saved-historic-country-inn Greene King, Marston's and Wells & Young's are growing the cask beer sector and attracting new, younger drinkers. They should be praised, not vilified Thu, 05 Apr 2012 12:41:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/04/05/don-t-dump-on-big-brewers https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/04/05/don-t-dump-on-big-brewers Artisan Italian brewer launches British and Belgian style ales and encourages chefs to match beer and fine food in the Naples area Sat, 17 Mar 2012 15:50:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/03/17/brewing-up-a-storm-in-the-shadow-of-vesuvius https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/03/17/brewing-up-a-storm-in-the-shadow-of-vesuvius Innis & Gunn, the Scottish brewer that started the oak-aged beer trend, has added a stout aged in Irish whiskey casks in time for St Patrick's Day Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:47:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/03/14/scottish-oak-aged-beer-gets-an-irish-twist https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/03/14/scottish-oak-aged-beer-gets-an-irish-twist With a little help from professional brewers, I start the mash for a genuine India Pale Ale that will take three months to reach maturity Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:01:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/03/08/ipa-sets-sail-from-aylesbury https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/03/08/ipa-sets-sail-from-aylesbury London debate shows how great European beers are stored and matured while 'yellow fizz' is brewed as fast as ale Sat, 03 Mar 2012 11:39:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/03/03/global-lagers-get-a-frosty-reception https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/03/03/global-lagers-get-a-frosty-reception The Trappist monastery of Mont des Cats has restored its brewing heritage -- but the beer is brewed for the monks by Chimay until they can build their own brewery Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:19:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/02/17/french-trappists-restore-brewing-tradition https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/02/17/french-trappists-restore-brewing-tradition Greene King has discovered a batch of beer brewed in 1936 for the coronation of Edward VIII that was a victim of the abdication crisis Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:45:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/02/14/royal-beer-that-never-saw-the-light-of-day https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/02/14/royal-beer-that-never-saw-the-light-of-day People make the arduous train journey to a Cumbrian hamlet to sample the one-off beers at the Prince of Wales brewpub Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:40:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/01/29/the-pub-now-standing-at-platform-one https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/01/29/the-pub-now-standing-at-platform-one Famous lambic brewer in Brussels is widening the boundaries with beers made with flowers and wine Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:49:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/01/24/cantillon-says-it-with-flowers https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/01/24/cantillon-says-it-with-flowers The Derbyshire craft brewery opened three new pubs in 2011 and is expanding its range of beers with both lager and ale. Sun, 15 Jan 2012 11:15:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/01/15/thornbridge-expands-beer-range-and-pub-estate https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/01/15/thornbridge-expands-beer-range-and-pub-estate In the run-up to Christmas, major supermarket groups recorded a big surge in the sale of bottled ale. Tesco alone was 65% up on the same period in 2010 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:12:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/01/04/supermarkets-record-ale-sales https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/01/04/supermarkets-record-ale-sales Two brothers have taken charge at the Chiltern Brewery and are building sales of their ales, which includes a version of 300s Old Ale served from oak whisky casks Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:09:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/01/02/chiltern-heads-for-the-woods https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/01/02/chiltern-heads-for-the-woods Van Steenberge brewery in Belgium launches abbey beer St Stefanus in export markets in conjunction with monastery in Ghent Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:50:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/29/getting-the-abbey-habit https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/29/getting-the-abbey-habit This is a two-part feature. Part I looks at the general craft-brewing scene in AustraliaThree RavensAt the conclusion of Beer Expo, I went on an… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/what-s-brewing-down-under-part-ii https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/what-s-brewing-down-under-part-ii Roger has just returned from a stint down under as guest speaker at Melbourne's beer fest. In the first of his reports he investigates how… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/what-s-brewing-down-under https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/what-s-brewing-down-under A recent report that several major regional brewers have set up a think tank to promote interest in cask beer came at the same time… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/britain-s-beer-and-barley-heritage https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/britain-s-beer-and-barley-heritage If you ask Martin Cullimore if he's suffering from any of the problems affecting the brewing industry, you get a dusty answer. "My only problem… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/bateman-s-marches-on https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/bateman-s-marches-on Global brewers are being urged to sell beer like soap if they are to hold on to market share and grow sales in emerging… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/selling-the-suds https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/selling-the-suds They may get in your heels and inspire you to dance. But Ale of old Burton if mellow and right Will get in your head… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/burton-ale-back-from-the-dead https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/burton-ale-back-from-the-dead Burton has got its museum back. The small Midlands borough renowned throughout the world as the home of pale ale brewing has a modern visitor… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/national-brewery-centre-lives https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/national-brewery-centre-lives Nine years and three months after Cain's first applied to join the Independent Family Brewers of Britain the Liverpool brewer has at last been admitted… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/cains-of-liverpool https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/cains-of-liverpool They call Cains brewery in Liverpool "the terracotta palace" and the striking redbrick buildings stand as testimony to Victorian pride and pomp. They are a… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/raising-cains https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/raising-cains From time to time a publican raises his head above the bar and has a pop at Camra, the Campaign for Real Ale. It happened… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/camra-pioneers https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/camra-pioneers Family brewers in Britain have been falling like tottering drunks and it seems that nothing can stop this once-vibrant sector of the industry heading for… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/cooper-s-brewery-australia https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/cooper-s-brewery-australia There's a map on the wall in David Winter's office covered with pins that show all the pubs in Norfolk he used to supply with… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/angling-for-east-anglia https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/angling-for-east-anglia Marston's will launch Fast Cask during Cask Ale Week (29 March-5 April) with the aim of attracting thousands of new pubs to real beer.… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/fast-cask https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/fast-cask It has an inshore, whitewashed lighthouse, famous beach huts painted in pastel shades, attractive Georgian and Victorian buildings, a clutch of fine pubs and the… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/adnams-new-green-brewery https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/adnams-new-green-brewery John Young will have a prominent place reserved in the Brewers' Hall of Fame, revered as the father of the "real ale revolution", an iconoclast… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/john-young-rip https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/john-young-rip Liefmans, the iconic Belgian brewer of "Oud Bruin" or Old Brown beer, has been saved from closure. The company based in Oudenaarde was declared bankrupt… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/liefmans https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/liefmans Brewing has returned to Stone. The small Staffordshire market town was once famous as the home of two sizeable breweries, Bents and Joules, both taken… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/leaving-no-stone-unturned https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/leaving-no-stone-unturned The British empire had long and beery tentacles. You fly for three hours and a bit deep into the Mediterranean, glimpse Mount Etna smoking… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/the-beers-of-malta https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/the-beers-of-malta It's all change at William Worthington's Brewery in Burton-on-Trent. The 22½-barrel plant that's on view to visitors at the National Brewery Centre - the… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/new-brewer-at-burton-museum-site https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/new-brewer-at-burton-museum-site The Cieszyn brewery that stands fortress-proud above the small Polish town of the same name is home to one of the world's historic beer styles,… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/porter-and-stout https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/porter-and-stout Angus McKean and Claire Morgan faced a daunting task when they took over the Red Lion in Barnes, South-west London. They had to convince loyal… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/the-master-cellarman-of-barnes https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/the-master-cellarman-of-barnes BUNNY GIRL SAVES COCKNEY BOOZER sounds like one of those weird headlines in the Daily Sport alongside "Elvis Found On Mars". But this is… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/not-so-sour-grapes https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/not-so-sour-grapes Thornbridge, the innovative craft brewery in the Derbyshire Peak District, has launched bottle-conditioned versions of three of its beers and is hopeful that one leading… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/thornbridge-bottles-it https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/thornbridge-bottles-it A new brewery in Derbyshire, which officially opened on 1 September, has some powerful history behind it. The plant for the Thornbridge brewery at Crompton… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/thornbridge https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/thornbridge It's good to report that a famous brew-pub - the Three Tuns in Bishop's Castle, between Ludlow and Shrewsbury - has been saved and is… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/three-tuns-weighs-in https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/three-tuns-weighs-in Worthington's White Shield, winner of the Champion Bottled Beer of Britain award on August 1st, is not only a worthy winner of the Guardian-sponsored competition… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/white-shield-a-worthy-champion https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/white-shield-a-worthy-champion Wychwood Brewery in Witney, Oxfordshire, has reported a steep rise in sale for its flagship beer, Hobgoblin. Total sales of draught and packaged versions are… Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/hobgoblin-runs-riot https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/12/01/hobgoblin-runs-riot home about forum tasted features A-Z directory books links sign-up wine whisky features The Oxford Companion to Beer By Roger Protz, 11/11… Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/11/01/the-oxford-companion-to-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/11/01/the-oxford-companion-to-beer "In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes," said Benjamin Franklin, one of the founders of the United States and a devoted beer… Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/09/01/strong-beer-big-tax https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/09/01/strong-beer-big-tax I helped launch a Burton Ale in Burton-on-Trent. Nothing remarkable about that, you might think, save for the fact that the beer in question was… Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/08/01/o-roger-it-s-a-burton-ale https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/08/01/o-roger-it-s-a-burton-ale And now: CAMRA the Movie! You're probably aware that the Campaign for Real Ale is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and to emphasise the… Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/08/01/the-history-of-camra https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/08/01/the-history-of-camra Carlsberg UK, the British subsidiary of the Danish brewing giant, has closed the Tetley brewery in Leeds and transferred production to Banks's brewery in Wolverhampton,… Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/07/01/farewell-to-tetley https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/07/01/farewell-to-tetley I got that tingle of excitement in February that only history can create. I was present at the opening of a bottle of beer that… Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/03/01/arctic-ale-1845 https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/03/01/arctic-ale-1845 Reddish-brown colour, with a fruity and slightly herbal aroma and palate and a finish dominated by rich malt, a pleasing hint of chocolate (in keeping… Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/02/01/rochefort https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/02/01/rochefort What does the word "lager" mean to you? A cold, bland, fizzy drink knocked out in vast volumes by global brewers - or a beer… Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/01/01/budvar-lager-as-it-should-be https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2011/01/01/budvar-lager-as-it-should-be The timing was exquisite. Castle Rock Brewery picked up the coveted Champion Beer of Britain award last week just a fortnight before it opens a… Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/12/01/castle-rock-rocks https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/12/01/castle-rock-rocks Distance is no object in the brewing industry. The impressive brewing kit at Harviestoun in Scotland started life as a pilot plant in St Austell… Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/12/01/the-beers-of-harviestoun https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/12/01/the-beers-of-harviestoun The debate between the merits of bottle-conditioned beer and packaged beer that is filtered and pasteurised has taken an interesting turn with the discovery that… Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/12/01/hogs-back-in-great-condition https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/12/01/hogs-back-in-great-condition My earliest image of beer was a giant advertising hoarding for Truman's that stood between the Boleyn Tavern in East London and West Ham United's… Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/12/01/truman-s-hops-back-to-cockneyville https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/12/01/truman-s-hops-back-to-cockneyville Is there room in British pubs for yet another Pilsener-style German lager? The Veltins Brewery in North-west Germany thinks so. It's planning a major boost… Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/11/01/veltins-pilsener-s-push https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/11/01/veltins-pilsener-s-push Big spicy, peppery hop aroma with lemon fruit and cracker-like malt. Tart citrus fruit and bitter, peppery hops dominate the mouth but are balanced by… Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/11/01/westvleteren https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/11/01/westvleteren Alastair Hook (right, dwarfed by giant brewing vessels) is a brewer with a mission. He believes there's a thirst for better beer in Britain… Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/10/01/meantime-on-a-mission https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/10/01/meantime-on-a-mission A major re-development at Frederic Robinson of Stockport will see volumes of beer double from 50,000 barrels to 100,000 a year - and most of… Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/09/01/robinson-of-stockport https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/09/01/robinson-of-stockport Castle Rock brewery in Nottingham won a unique prize in the Champion Beer of Britain competition - it's the second time it has won the… Sun, 01 Aug 2010 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/08/01/castle-rock-wins-unique-beer-championship https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/08/01/castle-rock-wins-unique-beer-championship 201 Clarence Street Sydney, NSW 02 9262 3303The Lord Nelson The Lord Nelson is a famous Sydney brewpub in 'the Rocks', an area of attractive… Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/06/01/beer-scene-in-sydney-part-ii https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/06/01/beer-scene-in-sydney-part-ii 99-101 Pyrmont Bridge Road Camperdown, NSW Tel: (02) 9519 3579 GO TO PART II - THE REDOAK AND LORD NELSON BREWPUBS. Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/06/01/beer-scene-in-sydney-part-i https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/06/01/beer-scene-in-sydney-part-i It's one of the wonders of the modern beer world that in a tiny part of Europe Trappist monks take time from their prayers to… Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/06/01/westmalle https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/06/01/westmalle Revenge is sweet and train lovers felt a warm glow in 2009 when Swanage, the Dorset seaside town, was reunited with London by rail. It… Sat, 01 May 2010 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/05/01/rail-ale-dorset https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/05/01/rail-ale-dorset Gale's Prize Old Ale (POA) is alive and well. The celebrated bottle-conditioned old ale, first brewed in the 1920s, seemed certain to disappear when… Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/04/01/gale-s-prize-old-ale https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/04/01/gale-s-prize-old-ale If you brewed a beer called Daylight Robbery you would expect a collective raspberry from both the media and consumers. It confirms the ancient belief… Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/04/01/st-austell-s-daylight-robbery https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/04/01/st-austell-s-daylight-robbery At 9am on Thursday 11 February head brewer Jeremy Pettman and brewer Eldred Burns spun the wheels and pulled the levers above the mash tun… Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/02/01/jennings-brewery-reborn https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/02/01/jennings-brewery-reborn De Trollekelder, 17 Bij Sint-Jacobs Brasserie Deus, 128 Vlaanderenstraat Bierhuis Castel, 9 Koningin Maria Hendrikaplein Waterhuis aan de Bierkant, 9 Groentenmarkt Het Trappistenhuis, 164 Brabantdam… Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/01/01/belgium-part-iii-ghent https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/01/01/belgium-part-iii-ghent 12b Roeselarestraat 8600 Esen Tours every Sunday 2pm, 3.50 euros with a free beer.Picobrouwerij Alvinne 138 Hellestraat 8501 Heule Shop open Thursday & Friday 10-4;… Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/01/01/belgium-s-wood-aged-beers https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2010/01/01/belgium-s-wood-aged-beers See also our an in-depth profile of AdnamsNew pubs Three new Adnams' pubs, bought from Punch Taverns, includes the Butt & Oyster at Pin Mill… Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/11/01/adnams-pubs-and-beers https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/11/01/adnams-pubs-and-beers Adnams, the family brewery founded in 1872 in the seaside town of Southwold in Suffolk, is vigorously fighting its way out of the recession and… Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/11/01/adnams https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/11/01/adnams The hand of history lies heavily on the beers of Belgium. Over the centuries it has been over-run by the French, the Dutch, the Germans… Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/11/01/belgium-part-i-liefmans https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/11/01/belgium-part-i-liefmans Liefmans tastedIn part I of Roger's report from Belgium he gives the background to Oudenaarde and tells the story of Liefmans brewery. In part II… Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/11/01/belgium-part-ii-liefmans-to-roman https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/11/01/belgium-part-ii-liefmans-to-roman The hand of history lies heavily on the beers of Belgium. Over the centuries it has been over-run by the French, the Dutch, the Germans… Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/11/01/belgium-part-i-liefmans https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/11/01/belgium-part-i-liefmans In the Spring I will be taking a look at some of the country's best rural pubs, but meanwhile, as we still have a bit… Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/10/01/urban-pubs-with-a-rural-feel https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/10/01/urban-pubs-with-a-rural-feel "If he can say as you can Guinness is good for you, How good to be a Toucan: Just think what Toucan do".The image… Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/08/01/guinness-250-not-out-part-ii https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/08/01/guinness-250-not-out-part-ii Arthur Guinness, 250 years on, is still tripping the dark fantastic. The Irish brewery may be part of Diageo, a global drinks giant where Irish… Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/08/01/guinness-250-not-out https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/08/01/guinness-250-not-out That old slogan "let the train take the strain" comes vividly back to life when you travel to Derby. Not only is the Midland Station… Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/08/01/rail-ale-derby https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/08/01/rail-ale-derby Hands up if you think real ale is drunk by old codgers in flat caps who keep whippets in the bath or by men of… Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/07/01/get-hip-the-real-ale-way https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/07/01/get-hip-the-real-ale-way When Josef Tolar, the legendary brewmaster at the Budweiser Budvar brewery in the Czech Republic, handed his thermometer to Adam Broz on 1 January this… Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/06/01/new-man-at-budvar-s-brewing-helm https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/06/01/new-man-at-budvar-s-brewing-helm Het Anker traces its origins back to the 16th century when sisters in a beguinage brewed beer for the sick. When it became a commercial brewery, it switched to Pils in the 20th century but has achieved greater success with a return to ale and the world-famous Gouden Carolus beers. And Het Anker has now added whisky -- Gouden Carolus matured in Scottish single malt casks Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/06/01/mechelen-where-anker-is-the-soul-of-good-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/06/01/mechelen-where-anker-is-the-soul-of-good-beer Cooper's brewery in Adelaide has beautifully sculpted lawns decorated with gum trees. Is this an elaborate joke? The company used to be laughed to derision… Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/05/01/clean-bowled-by-cooper-s https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/05/01/clean-bowled-by-cooper-s Britain Sun, 01 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/03/01/boom-time-for-britain-s-craft-brewers https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/03/01/boom-time-for-britain-s-craft-brewers Don Burgess (right) has a refreshing outlook on life: "I live to brew beer, not to make money". He turns a penny or two, of… Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/01/01/freeminer-refreshes https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/01/01/freeminer-refreshes Innis & Gunn: the inspiration Interest in oak-aged beers is due to the remarkable work carried out by Dougal Sharp (right), former head brewer at… Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/01/01/oak-aged-beers-part-ii-the-dawn-of-a-new-beer-style-1 https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/01/01/oak-aged-beers-part-ii-the-dawn-of-a-new-beer-style-1 This feature is in two parts. There is a link to part II at the bottom of the page.The launch in 2008 of three beers… Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/01/01/oak-aged-beers-part-i-sorting-the-wood-from-the-trees https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2009/01/01/oak-aged-beers-part-i-sorting-the-wood-from-the-trees This list of 25 truly great british pubs accompanies an article by Roger Protz, first published in the Independent newspaper: The British pub is alive… Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2008/10/01/the-25-best-pubs-in-britain https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2008/10/01/the-25-best-pubs-in-britain The British pub is alive and well: that's a claim that should cause the men in white coats to cart me off for a period… Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2008/10/01/the-british-pub-is-alive-and-well https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2008/10/01/the-british-pub-is-alive-and-well The niche market of oak-aged beers has received a major boost with the launch of Fuller's Brewer's Reserve. The size and reach of the Chiswick-based… Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2008/10/01/fuller-s-brewer-s-reserve https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2008/10/01/fuller-s-brewer-s-reserve In October 2008 I delivered the annual hop lecture at Shepherd Neame's brewery in Kent. Many people have asked for a printed version, so here… Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2008/10/01/hops https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2008/10/01/hops The goose was well and truly cooked at the celebrated White Horse in Parson's Green, south London, on 12 September when beers from the Goose… Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2008/09/01/cooking-the-goose https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2008/09/01/cooking-the-goose 'Ambassador of Beer' may be over-stating my role in life but I can lay claim to have built good relations between Rodenbach, the famous sour… Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2008/09/01/the-old-crafty-hen https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2008/09/01/the-old-crafty-hen When German troops occupied the monastery of Achel during World War One they observed the conventions of war. As the monastery straddles the border between… Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2008/08/01/praise-be-to-achel https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2008/08/01/praise-be-to-achel To accompany my feature article on the Trappist beers of Achel, I thought this was a good moment to reintroduce the 'Famous Five' beers brewed… Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2008/08/01/the-famous-five https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2008/08/01/the-famous-five There's a small beer revolution going on in one of the remotest parts of England. The village of Hesket Newmarket in Cumbria has a bus… Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2008/06/01/revolution-in-cumbria https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2008/06/01/revolution-in-cumbria I pulled the first pint in the Royal Standard in Derby last week. At a time when pubs are shutting up shop at an alarming… Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2008/06/01/raising-the-standard https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2008/06/01/raising-the-standard The Czech Republic has two, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Poland have one each yet from June this year Britain - one of the world's… Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2008/04/01/stop-press-protests-on-the-streets https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2008/04/01/stop-press-protests-on-the-streets Fuller's Vintage Ale (8.5%), first brewed in 1997, has become one of the most-talked about British beers, an iconic ale treated as seriously as fine… Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2008/04/01/fuller-s-vintage-advantage https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2008/04/01/fuller-s-vintage-advantage In the new edition of the Good Beer Guide I heralded a "golden age" for beer. How do I square this with the report on… Sat, 01 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/12/01/it-ain-t-necessarily-so https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/12/01/it-ain-t-necessarily-so As a result of protests from consumers and the people of the small town of Hoegaarden in Belgium, InBev has backed down and saved a… Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/10/01/famous-victory-for-hoegaarden https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/10/01/famous-victory-for-hoegaarden The oldest Rauchbier brewery in Bamberg is the Christian Merz Spezial brewpub on Obere K Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/09/01/bamberg-part-ii-breweries-amp-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/09/01/bamberg-part-ii-breweries-amp-pubs If you are searching for Beer Paradise, there Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/09/01/bamberg-part-i-beer-paradise https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/09/01/bamberg-part-i-beer-paradise Michael Jackson's enduring legacy will be that he elevated beer from the belief that it is a simple refresher to its true status as one… Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/09/01/michael-jackson-1942-2007 https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/09/01/michael-jackson-1942-2007 It's a journey into brewing history: almost hidden from view among modern production vessels at Greene King's Bury St Edmund's brewery are some wooden vessels… Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/09/01/strong-suffolk https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/09/01/strong-suffolk One of the most fascinating beers in British brewing is Greene King's Strong Suffolk, an example of an 18th century 'country beer', stored in wooden… Wed, 01 Aug 2007 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/08/01/beer-with-bite https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/08/01/beer-with-bite Lager is often described as the beer of the industrial age. The widely held view is that cold fermentation and storage - lagerung in German… Sun, 01 Jul 2007 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/07/01/a-new-look-at-lager https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/07/01/a-new-look-at-lager They say who dares, wins. It must be one of the most courageous changes of strategy ever by a major brewing company - the move… Fri, 01 Jun 2007 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/06/01/heineken-s-brave-move https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/06/01/heineken-s-brave-move It was a classic case of putting my money where my mouth is. I've been writing about beer for 30 years and it was time… Fri, 01 Jun 2007 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/06/01/roger-protz-tries-his-hand-at-brewing https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/06/01/roger-protz-tries-his-hand-at-brewing The dread name of Watneys can still strike fear and loathing into an older generation of beer lovers. The giant London brewer wreaked havoc in… Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/05/01/down-in-nethergate-drive https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/05/01/down-in-nethergate-drive Those of us that chip away at the coalface labelled "beer" constantly stress that our preferred form of alcohol deserves as much attention and respect… Sun, 01 Apr 2007 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/04/01/old-beers https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/04/01/old-beers Alastair Hook was tempted to call his brewery The Home for Abused Beer Styles but settled instead for Meantime. It was the natural pun-in-cheek name… Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/03/01/good-times-at-meantime https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/03/01/good-times-at-meantime Choice for Irish beer drinkers is gaining pace as more and more small breweries challenge the hegemony of Guinness and its subsidiaries.Beers from both breweries… Thu, 01 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/02/01/irish-beers https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/02/01/irish-beers It's a long, steep clamber up from the railway station at Beersel to the small town with its moated castle, built early in the 14th… Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/01/01/the-sweet-sweet-sours-of-beersel https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2007/01/01/the-sweet-sweet-sours-of-beersel The shock news that sales of Guinness have slumped by eight or nine per cent in the Irish Republic was one of those "end… Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/11/01/battle-for-the-black-stuff https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/11/01/battle-for-the-black-stuff Fergus McMullen tells his teenage children that if they take over from him at the family brewery when he retires they will "have a great… Fri, 01 Sep 2006 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/09/01/mcmullen-of-herford-change-and-survival https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/09/01/mcmullen-of-herford-change-and-survival We all remember the summer of football fever as the World Cup dominated our screens, and a cry (in many languages) was heard around the… Tue, 01 Aug 2006 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/08/01/world-cup-beer-i-think-not https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/08/01/world-cup-beer-i-think-not More than 66,000 people attended CAMRA's Great British Beer Festival in London between 1 and 5 August - close to 20,000 up on last year's… Tue, 01 Aug 2006 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/08/01/beer-fest-sell-out-hails-a-revival-of-cask-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/08/01/beer-fest-sell-out-hails-a-revival-of-cask-beer When I told a fellow journalist I was off to Blackburn to visit Thwaites, he raised an eyebrow and muttered, "Ah, the sleeping giant." I've… Tue, 01 Aug 2006 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/08/01/thwaites-of-blackburn https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/08/01/thwaites-of-blackburn So St Albans in Hertfordshire is the best place in Britain for good cask beer. Those who live in the city (not a town, dear… Sat, 01 Jul 2006 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/07/01/st-albans-beer-heaven https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/07/01/st-albans-beer-heaven The Americanisation of British society gathers pace. A decade or more ago, I dropped into Jimmy Armstrong's Bar on 10th Avenue in Manhattan, New York… Thu, 01 Jun 2006 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/06/01/beer-s-big-freeze https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/06/01/beer-s-big-freeze While the Dutch celebrate the 400th anniversary of Rembrandt Thu, 01 Jun 2006 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/06/01/harrie-s-back-in-town https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/06/01/harrie-s-back-in-town Alcohol has not had a good press of late. George Best was scarcely in his grave when Charles Kennedy's struggle with alcoholism hit the headlines,… Mon, 01 May 2006 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/05/01/demonizing-drink https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/05/01/demonizing-drink The genie is out of the bottle. Beer is no longer seen as a quick refresher, a few pints down the pub. It has been… Sat, 01 Apr 2006 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/04/01/beer-on-the-dining-table https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/04/01/beer-on-the-dining-table In 1966 a Belgian milkman named Pierre Celis was chatting to a group of friends. They reminisced about the style of beer that had once… Sat, 01 Apr 2006 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/04/01/think-global-close-local https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/04/01/think-global-close-local Heineken used to brew a stout called Van Vollenhoven, based on a recipe from a brewery taken over and closed by the Dutch giant. It… Wed, 01 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/03/01/stout-hearts-and-dutch-courage https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/03/01/stout-hearts-and-dutch-courage Beer is raising its head above the ramparts in an area of south London packed with trendy restaurants and best known for the hugely successful… Wed, 01 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/02/01/setting-sail-for-london-s-brew-wharf https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/02/01/setting-sail-for-london-s-brew-wharf A battle is raging over the heart, soul and future of brewing in the Czech Republic. The country that produced the first golden lager in… Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/01/01/czechs-and-balances https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/01/01/czechs-and-balances The Koningshoeven Brewery near Tilburg in the Netherlands has been given clearance by the International Trappist Association to use the ITA logo that guarantees its… Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/01/01/la-trappe-back-in-the-fold https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2006/01/01/la-trappe-back-in-the-fold Heineken recorded a remarkable sales boost of 29% in Britain in the first half of 2005, a sure sign that its move to sell its… Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/12/01/no-fibs-well-done-heineken https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/12/01/no-fibs-well-done-heineken Is it time to re-evaluate the origins of two 19th-century beer styles, India Pale Ale and Pale Ale? One veteran Scottish brewer, who has recently… Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/12/01/the-origins-of-the-species https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/12/01/the-origins-of-the-species When Reuters news agency left Fleet Street in London a couple of months ago there was a vast outpouring of grief in the media about… Tue, 01 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/11/01/the-booze-of-the-news https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/11/01/the-booze-of-the-news A special St Albans Ale has gone on sale in the Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Albans, restoring a potent link with the time… Tue, 01 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/11/01/beer-by-holy-orders https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/11/01/beer-by-holy-orders Richard Everard presses all the right buttons. "The family brewers are the custodians of cask beer," he says. "The nationals aren't interested in cask -… Sat, 01 Oct 2005 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/10/01/alive-and-kicking-everards-cask-ales https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/10/01/alive-and-kicking-everards-cask-ales A news item in last week Sat, 01 Oct 2005 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/10/01/the-joy-of-cask-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/10/01/the-joy-of-cask-beer The Hook Norton Brewery was featured prominently in an earlier profile on beer-pages and remains an excellent example of British brewong tradtition. Just a short… Sat, 01 Oct 2005 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/10/01/traditional-brewers-of-britain https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/10/01/traditional-brewers-of-britain It was when he fell off a ladder in his brewhouse that Richard Jenkinson knew it was time to hang up his mashing fork and… Thu, 01 Sep 2005 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/09/01/the-ups-and-downs-of-the-chiltern-brewery https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/09/01/the-ups-and-downs-of-the-chiltern-brewery There were many fine messages of support for London following 7 July but the most poignant was a one-sentence letter in the Guardian from a… Mon, 01 Aug 2005 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/08/01/great-british-beer-festival-we-are-all-londoners-now https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/08/01/great-british-beer-festival-we-are-all-londoners-now White smoke suddenly gushed from the chimney at Mauldons as we stepped from the brewhouse into the loading and delivery area. Steve Sims roared with… Mon, 01 Aug 2005 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/08/01/mauldons-the-black-adder-brewery https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/08/01/mauldons-the-black-adder-brewery Are British beer drinkers afraid of challenging flavours, hop bitterness in particular? The question is prompted by the recent news concerning the Meantime Brewery in… Fri, 01 Jul 2005 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/07/01/who-s-afraid-of-the-big-bad-hops https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/07/01/who-s-afraid-of-the-big-bad-hops Somewhere deep in the bureaucracy of the European Union there is a unit composed of highly-paid people whose job is to think up the most… Fri, 01 Jul 2005 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/07/01/the-importance-of-geography https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/07/01/the-importance-of-geography Is the British brewing industry on the verge of yet another major upheaval? Wolverhampton & Dudley has paid Fri, 01 Jul 2005 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/07/01/in-praise-of-regionality https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/07/01/in-praise-of-regionality Bristol lost its historic George Wed, 01 Jun 2005 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/06/01/sunshine-amp-smiles-at-the-beer-factory https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/06/01/sunshine-amp-smiles-at-the-beer-factory PIERRE Celis has been so badly mauled by global brewers that it was good to find him sprightly and cheerful at his home in the… Wed, 01 Jun 2005 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/06/01/pierre-celis-maestro-of-white-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/06/01/pierre-celis-maestro-of-white-beer Lager beer, most of it a pale pastiche of the golden beers brewed in the Czech Republic and Germany, accounts for more than 90% of… Wed, 01 Jun 2005 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/06/01/pale-and-interesting https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/06/01/pale-and-interesting Have you had a Mackeson recently? The answer is probably no, as it's a beer that is hard to find these days. A trawl of… Wed, 01 Jun 2005 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/06/01/make-mine-a-mackeson https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/06/01/make-mine-a-mackeson Signs outside the Wellington Hotel in the Horfield district of Bristol a couple of months ago announced "Beer Seminar with Roger Protz". Even though I've… Sun, 01 May 2005 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/05/01/ship-shape-and-bristol-fashion https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/05/01/ship-shape-and-bristol-fashion I sometimes feel that a song of yesteryear, You Always Hurt the One You Love, should be the anthem of beer lovers of the anorak… Sun, 01 May 2005 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/05/01/the-beers-of-chimay-plus-ca-change https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/05/01/the-beers-of-chimay-plus-ca-change Can Jennings survive? The takeover bid by Wolverhampton & Dudley has been accepted by the Cumbrian brewer, so there is little point in manning the… Sun, 01 May 2005 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/05/01/jennings--another-one-bites-the-dust https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/05/01/jennings--another-one-bites-the-dust Government documents from 1975, released under the "30-year rule" recently, reveal a plan by Labour prime minister Harold Wilson to save small breweries from takeover… Sun, 01 May 2005 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/05/01/something-political-brewing https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/05/01/something-political-brewing One evening last week I went out for a few drinks with reporters on the Daily Mail. We toured a dozen pubs in London near… Fri, 01 Apr 2005 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/04/01/shock-horror-let-s-have-a-sense-of-perspective-on-24-hour-opening https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/04/01/shock-horror-let-s-have-a-sense-of-perspective-on-24-hour-opening In 30 years of writing about beer I have come to agree more and more with the proposition put forward by the radical economist Ernst… Fri, 01 Apr 2005 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/04/01/grolsch-big-is-sometimes-beautiful https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/04/01/grolsch-big-is-sometimes-beautiful Beer-drinking circles were buzzing recently when Wetherspoons announced it was launching the famous Belgian beer De Koninck on draught throughout its 600-strong pub estate. De… Tue, 01 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/03/01/de-koninck-from-cask https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/03/01/de-koninck-from-cask I met Nick Stafford at a beer launch last week and, to my surprise, he said he felt small brewers needed to be more innovative.… Tue, 01 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/03/01/looking-back-to-innovate-elveden-ales https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/03/01/looking-back-to-innovate-elveden-ales Camra's newspaper What's Brewing enjoyed some lively debate recently on the subject of the ever-growing number of pale and hoppy cask beers. Such discussions can… Tue, 01 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/03/01/wither-winter-beers-the-big-chill https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/03/01/wither-winter-beers-the-big-chill In the days when trains had smoking compartments, a friend with both a wicked sense of humour and an addiction to nicotine would say to… Tue, 01 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/03/01/foggy-thinking-on-smoking https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/03/01/foggy-thinking-on-smoking It's good to see Whetherspoon's Chairman Tim Martin putting his money where his mouth is (see my article of November 2004) by announcing all pubs… Tue, 01 Feb 2005 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/02/01/woolly-thinking-on-smoking-in-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/02/01/woolly-thinking-on-smoking-in-pubs The fall out from the closure of King & Barnes brewery in Horsham, West Sussex, has given this small town of around 60,000 people, not… Tue, 01 Feb 2005 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/02/01/horsham-britain-s-brewtown https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/02/01/horsham-britain-s-brewtown Pinkus Muller is a sea of tranquillity in the German university town of Munster that has been a centre of turbulence for centuries. Anabaptists laid… Tue, 01 Feb 2005 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/02/01/the-organic-beers-of-pinkus-m-uuml-ller https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/02/01/the-organic-beers-of-pinkus-m-uuml-ller It's a tough job being a regional brewer these days, doubly hard if you're in a part of the country where the population halves as… Tue, 01 Feb 2005 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/02/01/st-austell-brewery-all-steamed-up https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/02/01/st-austell-brewery-all-steamed-up I was flicking disconsolately through the television channels one evening looking for a programme that wasn't a repeat or an insult to the intelligence when… Sat, 01 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/01/01/let-s-celebrate-britain-s-national-drink https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/01/01/let-s-celebrate-britain-s-national-drink They say the good thing about bashing your head against a brick wall is that it's wonderful when you stop. I wouldn't know: my cranium… Sat, 01 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/01/01/beer-the-writing-s-on-the-wall https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/01/01/beer-the-writing-s-on-the-wall I once witnessed an astonishing and possibly unique site at the Cantillon brewery in Brussels: CAMRA members refusing a second beer. It was an open… Sat, 01 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/01/01/cantillon-from-belgium-with-love https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/01/01/cantillon-from-belgium-with-love If I had a pound for every article I have read in the past year about the "real ale crisis" I would have money in… Sat, 01 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/01/01/real-ale-crisis-what-crisis https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2005/01/01/real-ale-crisis-what-crisis The recent announcement by Coors that it will end all cask beer production in Burton-on-Trent went almost unnoticed: it generated at most what journalists call… Wed, 01 Dec 2004 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/12/01/gone-for-a-burton https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/12/01/gone-for-a-burton A cynic might say that the best advice Scottish & Newcastle or Coors could put on labels of products such as Fosters, Newcastle Brown and… Wed, 01 Dec 2004 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/12/01/your-very-good-health https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/12/01/your-very-good-health On a crisp autumn day, I found myself in deepest rural Essex tasting a Yorkshire beer produced in a brewery founded by a family from… Wed, 01 Dec 2004 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/12/01/ridleys-brewery-leaping-the-north-south-divide https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/12/01/ridleys-brewery-leaping-the-north-south-divide ASDA, the giant national supermarket group, has unveiled a new beer range that will go some way towards mitigating the loss of the Safeway portfolio.… Mon, 01 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/11/01/beer-at-asda-assessing-the-range https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/11/01/beer-at-asda-assessing-the-range I break new ground this week by agreeing with Tim Martin, the boss of Wetherspoon. Speaking on Radio 4 recently, Tim said he was not… Mon, 01 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/11/01/weeding-out-the-smokers-thoughts-on-smoke-free-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/11/01/weeding-out-the-smokers-thoughts-on-smoke-free-pubs T&R Theakston, the famous brewery based in Masham, North Yorkshire, has re-launched its brands a year after the company was restored to independent ownership when… Mon, 01 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/11/01/still-peculier-the-relaunch-of-t-r-theakston https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/11/01/still-peculier-the-relaunch-of-t-r-theakston The Czech brewery Budweiser Budvar has launched a campaign to stop beer in the republic being turned into what it calls "Euro lager". Budvar has… Fri, 01 Oct 2004 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/10/01/the-ten-commandments-of-budvar https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/10/01/the-ten-commandments-of-budvar A few weeks ago I was on a train to Weymouth. It's a trip I have made many times and I have always looked… Fri, 01 Oct 2004 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/10/01/the-passing-of-eldridge-pope https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/10/01/the-passing-of-eldridge-pope I sometimes feel that the British brewing industry exists on two separate but occasionally colliding planets. On Planet Global, the giant brewers concentrate on big… Fri, 01 Oct 2004 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/10/01/fuller-s-taking-pride-in-cask-beers https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/10/01/fuller-s-taking-pride-in-cask-beers "Welcome to Brigadoon," Stewart Main, the head brewer at Hook Norton said. As a Scot, he is well versed in the story of the mythical… Fri, 01 Oct 2004 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/10/01/the-beers-of-brigadoon-hook-norton https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/10/01/the-beers-of-brigadoon-hook-norton The twisted priorities of the global brewers can be measured by a series of extremely expensive advertisements for the Interbrew brand Leffe in the quality… Fri, 01 Oct 2004 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/10/01/think-global-ignore-local https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/10/01/think-global-ignore-local If you suffer from claustrophobia or vertigo, avoid the brewery trip at the Concertina Band Club in Mexborough. You go through the bar and store… Wed, 01 Sep 2004 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/09/01/the-concertina-band-club https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/09/01/the-concertina-band-club Mayhem and murder at the top of the brewing industry continue apace. Hard on the heels of the closure of its Scottish and Newcastle plants… Wed, 01 Sep 2004 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/09/01/decline-and-fall-boddingtons-amp-bass https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/09/01/decline-and-fall-boddingtons-amp-bass I tasted last month a malty/hoppy Pilsner, a roasted grain and chocolatey black lager, a crisp and fruity American-style pale ale, and an aromatic,… Wed, 01 Sep 2004 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/09/01/chilling-out-at-zerodegrees https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/09/01/chilling-out-at-zerodegrees Moments after I'd announced that Greene King IPA had won gold in the bitter class in the Champion Beer of Britain competition at Olympia last… Sun, 01 Aug 2004 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/08/01/the-greene-king-ipa-controversy https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/08/01/the-greene-king-ipa-controversy On the eve of the Great British Beer Festival, I attended a remarkable gathering of beer lovers in London. The meeting was dubbed "the Camra… Sun, 01 Aug 2004 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/08/01/33-years-in-the-mash-tun https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/08/01/33-years-in-the-mash-tun Have you ordered the Rolls-Royce yet? I asked Dave Wickett. He laughed and said, "I'm too busy ordering casks!"The phone hasn't stopped ringing since Kelham… Sun, 01 Aug 2004 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/08/01/kelham-island-brewery https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/08/01/kelham-island-brewery Stand by for my reports on a new homebrew system that promises to turn out 40 pints of excellent beer in just 14 days.… Sun, 01 Aug 2004 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/08/01/the-home-brew-challenge https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/08/01/the-home-brew-challenge Stephen Crawley was sporting a beauty of a black eye. Is that what happens when Scottish & Newcastle moves in and starts running your brewery?Not… Thu, 01 Jul 2004 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/07/01/long-live-caledonian-brewery https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/07/01/long-live-caledonian-brewery Ivor Dunkerton won't be chopping down the trees that supply him with apples and pears for his organic ciders and perries. He and his wife… Thu, 01 Jul 2004 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/07/01/dunkerton-s-cider https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/07/01/dunkerton-s-cider Dortmund was once known as the "Burton of Germany". In the 19th and 20th centuries, the great steel-making and coal-mining city had more breweries than… Thu, 01 Apr 2004 00:00:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/04/01/dortmund-the-burton-of-germany https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2004/04/01/dortmund-the-burton-of-germany