Craft Beer: The 100 Best Breweries in The World
…Apologies for the lack of posts recently – that thing called real life has gotten in the way somewhat of late and between working on the follow-up to Great Yorkshire Beer, preparing for the arrival of our first child in late August and the demands – which are many – of being a full-time slave to a maniacal Border Terrier, there’s not been much time for TGS.
Still, distractions are most welcome and a pleasant one came in the form of an approach in the new year from Craig Heap and Chris Hall (later joined by Ruari O’Toole and Matt Curtis) to come and pitch in on their latest commission from Future Publishing – Craft Beer: The 100 Best Breweries in the World. I’d really enjoyed the first one, so jumped at the chance. I wrote the profiles for the Yorkshire contingent, such is my calling these days.
So, here’s the plug. Why should you buy it? Well, it’s a good read, to be honest. Obviously I would say that, but there’s still that moment where you don’t know what the end product is going to end up like when you do something like this. To open the copy and realise that it’s pretty darn good mixes relief and joy in equal measure. Know someone just starting out in exploring beer? This would make a great gift.
…and yes, I realise it’s another list-type affair – and that means you *have* to leave people out. And really, you have to believe us when we say that we almost got into knife-fights about inclusion. I got the same comments following the publication of GYB, as I expected. But we do stand by what’s in there, and believe me when I say the positive feedback we’ve had far outweighs the odd grumble. It’s published on a major scale, promotes great brewing, and reclaims a little shelf-space from the myriad wine and food magazines.
I’m still amazed that there isn’t room in the market for a quarterly magazine about beer. I also sense, in a way, that the time has passed for us to prove that, now. One-offs like this are the closest we’ll get – in my opinion – to something for the mainstream. Demand was there, and we were happy to fill it. Rest assured – the gang put a hell of a lot of work into it.
So, you can read accounts from Matt, Chris and Craig (including some nice ‘bonus content’ from Chris) if you’re still interested in how a group of bloggers got the chance to be involved in something a little more permanent. Do check them out – they’re a good read. As is the bookazine itself.
You can pick up Craft Beer: The 100 Best Breweries in the The World at WH Smith’s and online here.
Posted on 07/05/2014, in Beer and tagged Beer Magazines, Craft Beer: The 100 Best Breweries in The World. Bookmark the permalink. 7 Comments.
The Good Stuff 
I agree it’s a pretty good read although the Belgian section includes some real howlers unfortunately. Having said that, hats of to all involved for working so damn hard to get the thing produced.
First up as a Leeds drinker I enjoy your blog very much. I’m sure there must be others who are concerned about the premium price attached to ‘craft’ beer, particularly keg versions of locally produced beer. I don’t mind paying a bit extra for a half of a keg IPA that has been shipped from Seattle or somewhere, or for a strong stout where you can almost see where your money goes. But I’ve yet to hear a good reason why – say – Thornbridge keg beers cost considerably more than the cask versions, even locally in places like the Sheffield Tap. Not just them – Dark Star Revelation was recently available in the Duck and Drake in Leeds on cask and next door in the Crowd of Favours as a keg version. Prices are generally comparable although the D&D does not do craft keg. However, the cask version was considerable cheaper than the keg version – can anyone explain why?
Hi Sean – thanks for reading and glad you enjoy the blog. Prices are rising, for sure, but it’s difficult for me to nail down exactly why are there are so many variables; from the seller to the type of beer (like you say, where it’s produced) – here some links that discuss the matter more in depth:
http://tandlemanbeerblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/the-cost-of-craft-keg.html
http://www.anewwave.co.uk/why-keg-is-more-expensive-than-cask/
http://ale.gd/blog/2014/05/who-gets-how-much-of-your-beer/
Hope these go some way to helping you out!
thanks for that – like the old high court judge I’m none the wiser if a little better informed
I nearly had a coronary in Tapped when I asked for 4 pints of cask 4 @£2.90 and the barman thought I asked for keg 4 @ £4.25 a half
hah, yes, it does get expensive.
Of course with key keg beers the container is disposable (surprised no-one has latched on to the environmental arguments here by the way) and is chucked away aftre the beer has been sold. Thus the pub (and hence you the customer) pays not only for the beer but also the container in which it is delivered.
Thanks John – as always!