Coniston rides the waves
A spotlight on a rather special Lakeland brewery that has twice claimed the crown of Supreme Champion Beer of Britain. Beer Tours UK's...
Blog & News
stevehobman
- Jun 27
SALOPIAN ORACLE (4%abv)
This one is a favourite of mine at my village local, the Carden Arms in Tilston, Cheshire. I make no apology for it. Founded in 1995 by...
stevehobman
- Jun 7
NEW LIFE FOR ONE-TIME POPULAR CHESTER PUB - step inside for a glimpse with us.....
Photo special with images from Tony Blake Photography. A once much loved Chester city centre pub which suffered years of troubles has...
stevehobman
- May 23
BEER REVIEW: Weetwood Ales Jester IPA (4.8%abv)
Originally developed by British brewers back in the 18th century to export to the colonies, these days there are many versions of India...
stevehobman
- May 17
Traditional bitter is the champion cask ale at brewers' contest for Wales & West
I was very pleased to judge at the SIBA Wales & West Beer Competition last Friday at Ludlow. And delighted to play a part (I think..it's...
stevehobman
- Apr 20
CAMRA CAMPAIGNS TO BOOST PUB TRADE THIS SUMMER
The Campaign for Real Ale is gearing up to launch its “Summer of Pub” Campaign (2 May – 29 August) which encourages people to head down...
stevehobman
- Feb 18
Call for beer duty cut as near £6bn Covid sales losses revealed
Beer sales fell in the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic as people shunned pubs and drank wine and spirits at home instead. Pubs, bars and...
stevehobman
- Feb 2
CALL TO AMEND BEER TAX PLANS
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) are urging the Treasury to amend tax plans to help small...
stevehobman
- Dec 22, 2021
Brewers face Crisis Christmas -urgent help needed
While some positive help is on the way for pubs and restaurants, brewers are struggling for assistance. Last night I spoke with a small...
stevehobman
- Dec 14, 2021
CAMRA urges ‘extreme caution’ from Government over warning consumers away from pubs
In response to reports of booking cancellations and a downturn in trade, CAMRA National Chairman Nik Antona said: “Over the weekend, we...
stevehobman
- Nov 16, 2021
Mike Mercer ran the Albion in Chester for just short of 50 years. He believed in proper British pubs
Remembering landlord’s quirky stewardship of a unique pub The legendary Mike Mercer has died, aged 81, just two weeks short of five...
stevehobman
- Oct 12, 2021
ISLE OF MAN TOUR FOR NOVEMBER
ISLE OF MAN - November 2-4 2021 For our post COVID world we have linked with an established Isle of Man tour operator to bring the first...
stevehobman
- Oct 7, 2021
WHAT JOY - BEER FESTIVALS ARE BACK
CAMRA is relaunching its national programme of beer festivals after an almost two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. The...
stevehobman
- Sep 27, 2021
THE PLIGHT OF CASK: CASK BEER SALES DOWN BY 76 MILLION PINTS SINCE PUBS REOPENED
BBPA highlights accelerated plight of cask ale since COVID and urges rallying call to support uniquely British beer for Cask Ale Week The...
stevehobman
- Sep 16, 2021
From adversity comes diversity: brewers bounce back from Covid with new craft brands
Many independent brewers are pulling back from the horrendous blight of COVID-19 with a raft of new initiatives, When the first lockdown...
stevehobman
- Jul 22, 2021
NEW CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO HELP 'OUR NATIONAL TREASURE' RECOVER: STAND UP FOR CASK ALE
"... lockdowns saw 87 million pints, worth more than £300 million, being poured down the drain. With them went a whole load of jobs...
stevehobman
- Jul 16, 2021
Near-normality for Welsh pubs from 7 August welcomed by CAMRA
Responding to the First Minister Mark Drakeford’s announcement that, subject to the state of the pandemic nearer the time, most of the...
stevehobman
- Jul 13, 2021
COUNTDOWN TO NORMALITY: Ready to raise a glass at the bar again?
Pubs are coming home... at last it seems. Ok it's not 55 years, but neverthless it has indeed been a very long, rocky and wearisome road...
stevehobman
- Jul 8, 2021
WELCOME - TO THE NEW CAMPAIGN FOR THE GREAT BRITISH PUB
JODIE KIDD LAUNCHES NEW LONG LIVE THE LOCAL CAMPAIGN AS PUBS EXPECT GO AHEAD TO REOPEN FULLY New research from Long Live The Local...
stevehobman
- Jul 6, 2021
WELCOME BACK TO THE REAL PUB WITH RESTRICTIONS LIFTED SOON
BUT PUBS STILL NEED MORE HELP, SAYS CAMRA CAMRA welcomes return of the authentic pub experience in England Commenting on the announcement...