Great news for Cask Ale Week: Kelham Island Brewery saved from closure
Dave Wickett founded Kelham Island Brewery in 1990 when the micro brewing movement was very much in its gestation. Dave was a truly...
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Blog & News
stevehobman
Sep 12, 2022
The Bhurtpore Inn -30 years a haven of good ale
The richly historic Bhurtpore Inn, buried deep in the leafy lanes of the Cheshire countryside, has been a veritable haven of good beer...
stevehobman
Jul 29, 2022
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...
stevehobman
Jun 27, 2022
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, 2022
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, 2022
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, 2022
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, 2022
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, 2022
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, 2022
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...
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