Whatever the challenges facing cask ale, and they are many, it’s hard to see the old argument that it just can’t command a premium price standing up. Not in bloody London, anyway.

It all feels a bit close to home, doesn’t it? Very sad news.

I think you’re right. Losing smokers was a blow to some pubs at the time, but the world has moved on

And you see the same thing in public policy today. However good the reasons for putting up the minimum wage or increasing employer, politicians can’t bring themselves to acknowledge that it also causes problems for businesses at the point of delivery.

I was working on The Publican at the time of the England ban. The challenge wasn’t that there weren’t sound public health arguments for the ban, it was the government refused 100% to acknowledge that it would cause problems for pubs. And it did, the ban did close pubs.

Oooh. Very nice.

LionHeart launch to kickstart cask ale market www.shielporter.com/press_releas...

Thanks to Warren White not just for taking the time to talk to me about Bass, but also for navigating us through the labyrinthine corporate approval process that kept his colleagues on-side whilst enabling me to retain my fig-leaf of journalistic independence.

FEATURE: All about that Bass Bass cask ale is enjoying renewed support, rising sales and fresh interest from loyal fans, younger drinkers and pubs as the brand makes a strong comeback.

Here's @pieandapint.bsky.social for the Morning Advertiser on the remarkable revival of draught Bass (suddenly the fastest growing cask ale) including, as far as I know, the first interview about it with brand owner AB-Inbev: www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2026...

A sign of the times, but very sad. Hopefully the beers will continue at their current quality, but all good wishes and sympathy to everyone losing their livelihood.

Is it…is it different to Carling?

Beer bounceback: Why classic pints are back on the bar Brands such as Guinness, Boddingtons and Kestrel are upping the nostalgia factor while being grounded in trustworthy heritage

'Beer bounceback: Why classic pints are back on the bar' | @pieandapint.bsky.social for the Caterer: www.thecaterer.com/products--eq...

Cheers!

Congrats both

Santa's making his list, he's checking it twice. Whether you've been naughty or nice this year, you can blag yourself, or someone else, a signed copy of Beer Breaks in Britain from @philmellows.bsky.social at an exclusive price.

Beer Breaks in Britain Combine your thirst for great British travel and good quality beer with this refreshing guide to 30 of Britain's best beer scenes. With a foreword by Marverine…

Struggling to think of a Christmas gift for that hard-to-buy-for, beer and travel loving friend or relative? Our friend @philmellows.bsky.social still has a few copies of runaway best seller Beer Breaks in Britain stashed away. Act now to avoid disappointment www.bloomsbury.com/uk/beer-brea...

"We have Darth Vader..." Those new Trump appointees in full.

Pint of Bass in the Argyll Arms at Oxford Circus. Ok, but flat as a pancake

It feels to me like the reforms are likely to require pubs to compete even harder for the available custom on Friday and Saturday evenings, when what the trade desperately needs is a business model that puts bums on seats on a wet Tuesday.

Cheers to Change: Red Tape Review Could Bring More Food, Music and Fun to Your Local The Government is launching a fast-track review to tear up outdated licensing rules that have been holding back pubs, bars and local events and we want to hear from the people who know best: landlords...

I'm old enough to have been writing about the pub trade through the Beer Orders, the 2003 Licensing Act reforms, the smoking ban in 2007 - I hope this gives the trade the boost it desperately needs, but the phrase "unintended consequences" keeps echoing www.gov.uk/government/n...

It's well worth firing up BBC iPlayer and listening to the last five minutes of Today on Radio 4, just to hear a very serious French author promoting his new book on the origins of the universe and discuss "the beeg bong".

I had to fight a neighbour for them

Well now. I’ve had worse things arrive in the post.

River Ryman was one of the good ones. Much missed

A Scanner Dreckly — The Life and Legacy of St. Austell Proper Job IPA — Pellicle It is a sedate summer’s afternoon in the bar of The Globe in Topsham, five miles outside Exeter. Wimbledon is on the big screen, with the sound turned down, and there are five other customers inside. ...

A beautifully crafted hymn of praise for a beautifully crafted beer from @atjbeer.bsky.social in @pelliclemag.com www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/9/...

As #CaskAleWeek gently subsides towards its conclusion, here’s today’s lunchtime choice

So when #Fullers launched Griffin Gold, there was debate about whether it was Chiswick under new branding. My Fullers advent calendar contains a bottle of each, both 3.4% ABV. I feel a head to head tasting blog post is in order. Stay tuned. You’ll be sorry you asked.

Boxing Day?

My big take out from the interview with Lisa Nandy that just took place on Today on Radio 4 about ID cards, is that 'silver bullet' is one of the most misused terms around. A silver bullet kills werewolves, or bandits if you're the Lone Ranger. It's a magic bullet Lisa hasn't got, not a silver one

Well, well. It feels a bit early, but thanks and Merry Christmas #Fullers #Asahiuk