Food & Drink

Shock: Britain could run out of beer

Beer stocks low due to CO2 shortage

By Nicholas Robinson

Brewers large and small are running low or have run out of products as the Europe-wide CO2 shortage worsens, putting a stop to brewing and packaging for many.

Essential reading: Ciderology is designed to be a guide for the UK’s favourite apple-based drink

New book aims to educate drinkers about world of cider

By James Beeson

The impact of terrior and climate on flavour, how cider has evolved over the centuries and how to match cider and food are just some of the topics covered in a new book by cider expert Gabe Cook.

A garden of Eden: inside the Duke of Cambridge, Surrey

In association with Fever-Tree

In the gin garden of Surrey’s Duke of Cambridge

By Nicholas Robinson

Close to the scenic Surrey Hills, with a cricket green and golf course nearby, the Duke of Cambridge attracts a wide range of clientele. As operations manager Paul Griffiths explains, many enjoy a G&T in the large suntrap garden, which features a...

Going global: The series has seen Foupure create beers with six breweries each from a different continent

Fourpure kicks off Continental Collaboration tour

By James Beeson

Fourpure Brewing Co has officially unveiled the six collaboration beers that make up its new Continental Collaboration series, ahead of a roadshow of events throughout June and the first week in July.

Charity champs: the report also found that a third of independent breweries now have a taproom

8 out of 10 independent brewers support charity

By James Beeson

Some 82% of independent breweries have supported a charity in the past 12 months, according to new research into the impact of breweries in their local communities.

How much? Government raking in record amounts on alcohol duty

Government making a mint from your booze sales

By Nicholas Robinson

The Treasury is continuing to make a mint from UK booze sales, despite a freeze on alcohol duty in November, showing the sector can remain fruitful without another hike.

Global taste: pubs have taken note of a variety of cuisines to influence their menus (image credit: vadimguzhva/iStock/thinkstock.co.uk)

7 themed pubs with worldwide inspiration

By Nikkie Sutton

While the history of pubs traditionally started in England, some venues have branched into different cuisines to give their sites a twist on the classic boozer.

Packaging issue: a complaint against the design of Tiny Rebel's Cwtch Welsh Red Ale was upheld

Growth in ‘nostalgia-based marketing’ on drinks

By Nikkie Sutton

Nostalgic references to the sweets, clothes and cartoons of yesteryear saw a number of drinks fall foul of the alcohol marketing rules last year, according the Portman Group’s annual report.

Price to pay: Tiny Rebel will not attend the Great British Beer Festival

Tiny Rebel pulls out of Great British Beer Festival

By James Beeson

Welsh craft brewery Tiny Rebel has announced it will pull out of this year’s Great British Beer Festival (GBBF), accusing the organisers of “dictating how we should represent ourselves and our beer”.

Drinks swap: Champagne will be replaced by English sparkling wines across JD Wetherspoon's estate

JDW to ditch Champagne in the run-up to Brexit

By Nikkie Sutton

Pub giant JD Wetherspoon (JDW) will offer more drinks from the UK and non-EU producers and brewers across its 880-strong estate from Monday 9 July in the run-up to the country’s departure from the EU.

Healthy dessert: 'better-for-you' ice cream is a trend that it set to shine this summer according to Mintel

Hot food and drink trends for summer 2018

By Nikkie Sutton

This summer, operators need to keep their fingers on the pulse with the latest trends including meat-free barbecue, healthy ice cream, snacks and beer pairing, and bold flavoured sparkling water.

Tricky situation: the nation's smaller craft gin distillers could face testing times, according to the WSTA

A hard Brexit 'could wipe gin out'

By Nikkie Sutton

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has warned the UK could be faced with a gin drought if a no-deal Brexit comes to pass.

Looking ahead: NACM chief executive Fenella Tyler believes the industry will be

The Big Interview: NACM chief exec Fenella Tyler

By Nicholas Robinson

The cider sector is not treated as fairly as other drinks businesses according to those involved in it, and the effect of Brexit is yet to be seen, but National Association of Cider Makers chief executive Fenella Tyler is upbeat about a product experiencing...

Sell-out: Beavertown is reportedly close to committing the ultimate craft beer betrayal

Craft Beer Connoisseur - Pop goes the Beaver

By Craft Beer connoisseur

I was devastated to read the news earlier this week that Beavertown Brewery could be considering selling a stake of its business to beer giant Heineken.

High demand: drinkers flocked to Ales Tales festival, which showcased beer from 20 Belgian breweries

What can Belgian beer still offer to UK pubs?

By James Beeson

For many years, when the UK craft beer scene was but a twinkle in James Watt and Martin Dickie’s eyes, the mark of a good beer pub would often be the strength of its Belgian beer list.

Mind the gap: Stowford Press Mixed Berries is seen to fit between standard and super-premium

In Association with Westons

Why cider is getting fruity

By Nicholas Robinson

Many marked fruit cider as a passing trend, an alternative to RTDs that would last just a summer. How wrong they were. Draught fruit ciders have become an increasingly important part of a pub’s offer and now they’re going premium.

Growth drive: James Clay hopes the acquisition will help expand its reach in the Midlands

James Clay snaps up Beer Direct distributor

By James Beeson

Craft and specialist beer distributor James Clay is set to expand its reach in the Midlands following the acquisition of regional distributor Beer Direct.

Food intolerance: charity Coeliac UK says one in 100 people have coeliac disease

Why you should have a free-from offer in your pub

By Nikkie Sutton

People with coeliac disease and those simply wishing to avoid gluten in their diet can often be the leaders when it comes to having a meal out. Make sure you are catering for this influential group.

Without booze: this alcohol-free cocktail is refreshing thanks to the grapefruit and mint ingredients

How to make: pink grapefruit cooler

By Nikkie Sutton

Bright sunshine and warm climates call for a drink that tickles the taste buds while quenching a thirst. The pink grapefruit cooler ticks all the boxes.

Trend: beer styles such as DIPAs and imperial stouts are increasingly sold by craft brewers in 440ml or 500ml cans

Could DIPAs be banned under new Portman Group guidelines?

By James Beeson

Brewers selling double IPAs (DIPAs), imperial stouts and other strong beer styles in large packaging formats could fall foul of a new review into the Portman Group’s code of practice, according to the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA).

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