NEWS

Will Hawkes named Beer Writer of the Year 2013

Will is a freelance journalist who specialises in beer. He writes regularly for a range of titles including The Independent and The Washington Post, and is the author of Craft Beer London, an iPhone app and book about the capital’s best pubs, breweries and off-licences which won the Beer Writers’ online media category last year. » MORE

CAMRA welcomes Chancellor’s action on business rates

“The Chancellor’s £1,000 windfall offers a vital lifeline for struggling licensees and will help keep pubs open,” said CAMRA chief executive, Mike Benner. » MORE

Stout, porter and IPA roll off Hawkshead bottling line

A stout, a strong porter, both bottle conditioned, and an unfiltered American-style IPA with a twist are the latest beers to roll off Hawkshead Brewery’s new micro bottling plant.
» MORE

EeBria launches 12-bottle
Christmas selection

The Christmas Cracker Selection Box has 12 different bottles of British craft ales, designed “for people who can’t choose”. » MORE

Beer subscription service launches

Beer52.com sources independent craft beers and creates a monthly case of eight beers for £24, with free delivery. » MORE

BrewDog confirms plans for Tokyo bar

BrewDog Tokyo is the second international bar to be officially announced, following the launch of BrewDog Stockholm this summer. The brewery has also begun development on a new site in the Pinherios area of Sao Paulo, which is due to launch early 2014. » MORE

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BLOG

Beer reviews: Shepherd Neame, Harbour, Dark Star

What sets this apart from many “Christmas cake” beers I’ve tried is the candied fruit sweetness on the palate, glacé cherries, too, with some hop spiciness and Demerara sugar type sweetness, too. » MORE

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NEWS

Hop City Porter is London’s first ‘crowd sourced’ beer

London craft brewer Meantime Brewing is to launch a new beer made using ‘crowd sourced’ hops grown at more than 100 locations around the capital. » MORE

Cheshire pub develops range of local walking guides

Regulars at a Whitegate, Cheshire pub have put their local knowledge to good use by creating a number of new walking guides, taking in the area’s outstanding natural beauty. » MORE

Oh Be Joyful — a free hat for Brakspear drinkers

Brakspear is supporting its seasonal ale for December, Oh Be Joyful, with the offer of a free Santa hat for every customer buying four pints in one of the 50 pubs running the incentive. Oh Be Joyful is available to all Brakspear licensees from this week. » MORE

Greene King gets crafty with new innovation brewhouse

Situated at the Suffolk brewer’s Bury St Edmunds headquarters, the £750,000 small batch brewhouse has been built over the last six months to better showcase the creativity, craft and skill of a dedicated team of beer experts. » MORE

Fuller’s and Steel City Brewing create beer for M&B chains

Fuller’s has announced the launch of a new limited edition blonde ale, Steel, made in collaboration with Steel City Brewing, the nomadic Sheffield craft brewers who guest brew across the UK and Europe. » MORE

Yew Tree named Cheshire’s
top pub for second year

Rescued from closure only three years ago, the Yew Tree retained its title as tourism pub of the year at the Marketing Cheshire annual awards ceremony. » MORE

Inveralmond announces craft keg development appointment

Perth-based Inveralmond Brewery has announced the appointment of Phil Kilpatrick to the role of business development manager with specific responsibility for developing craft keg sales. » MORE

Hogs Back launches Hogstar craft lager

It is being sold unpasteurised and with slightly lower carbonation in bottle. It delivers the refreshment of old style lagers, says the brewer, but with greater depth of flavour and aroma, in-keeping with the English ale tradition. » MORE

Badger release porter-style Twilight Tawny

This new porter style ale is brewed with Hallertau Select and Galaxy hops and has a liquorice character derived from the roasted malt, plus a subtle fruity hop aroma. » MORE