There is just under a week to go until Macclesfield’s annual Charity Beer Festival, which will take place on Friday and Saturday, 10th and 11th May. This year’s event, which will raise funds for Cheshire Search and Rescue, will feature some 150 beers, ciders and perries. There will also be family entertainment, live music, and a variety of independent food retailers. The beers come from more than 50 different breweries and have been selected by the committee’s CAMRA members. They include a wide range of brews from the North West, as well as many from further afield, which are rarely se ..read more

Local Legends, a book celebrating the unique character of London’s lesser known, yet most authentic pubs, is to be published next week. The Nag’s Head, Belgravia. Photograph: Horst Friedrichs The hidden gems are brought to the page by pub tour guide and founder of Liquid History Tours, John Warland, and acclaimed photographer Horst Friedrichs. The book brings together 38 of London’s finest hidden pubs, from the city centre to its outer limits and beyond. These watering holes are permeated by personality and a passion for traditional hospitality. With a foreword from Madness frontman Suggs, a ..read more

Martyn Cozens, who led Molson Coors’ acquisition of Sharp’s Brewery has been appointed a non-executive director at Tiny Rebel. Martyn Cozens “With a track record of unparalleled success in the UK on-trade, Martyn brings a wealth of experience and innovation to our team,” said Bradley Cummins, chief executive and co-founder of Tiny Rebel. “As an inspirational leader, he’s not just a game-changer, he’s a game-winner! Martyn’s achievements speak volumes — from spearheading the success of brands like Doombar and Mardri and building an unrivalled on-trade sales team, his expertise is second to no ..read more

Drinks writer Laura Hadland has been awarded CAMRA’s top campaigning award at the organisation’s Members’ Weekend, AGM, and Conference in Dundee. Laura Hadland. Portrait by Lily Waite Her nomination spoke of a long list of impressive achievements this year, particularly her commitment to inclusiveness, responsible drinking, and her work championing small producers and venues. Laura was a key voice in calling national attention to the destruction of the Crooked House through her blog, interviews about pub protection for local radio stations across the country, and on social media.  ..read more

Four brewers and cidermakers from the UK have been awarded the highest recognition from organisers of the International Brewing and Cider Awards. Trophy winners outside the Guildhall, in London Windsor & Eton Brewery won the International Keg Lager trophy with its Capital Dry Hopped Lager, London’s Forest Road Brewing Co received the International Cask Conditioned Ale trophy for WORK, and Melton Mowbray-based Round Corner Brewing scooped the International Keg Ale trophy for Drovers Hazy Session IPA. Globally, there were 13 trophy winners — ten for beers and three for ciders — from 1 ..read more

Devon’s Bays Brewery has once again teamed up with its friends at Paignton Zoo to launch a new charity brew, Funky Monkey. Director of Bays Brewery, Peter Salmon, with (right) marketing manager Caroline Salmon, and Paignton Zoo events and corporate relationship manager, Katie White Available in bottle, cask and beer box, the copper-coloured pale ale is bursting with fruity, hoppy character, with a citrus twist. Five per cent of proceeds will go to wildlife conservation. Funky Monkey is the latest in a long line-up of limited-edition ‘animal’ ales brewed in partnership with Paignton Zoo. Thes ..read more

New ownership means an exciting new era for the Tomos Watkins brewery, producing ‘Great Ales of Wales’, with a revamped look and beer line-up. Launched in 1996, it was purchased by entrepreneurs entrepreneurs, Joelle and Sarah Drummond last year. They’ve refreshed the brand with the aim of introducing Welsh ales and lagers to a new generation of beer drinkers. Firm fan favourites such as Cwrw Haf, Blodwen, and Magic Lagyr remain, but are now joined by Dragon’s Keep IPA and Miner’s Pride stout. “The inspiration behind this revitalisation has been drawn from the preferences of modern drinkers ..read more

With orchards coming into bloom and fruit beginning to set, CAMRA is raising awareness of cider and perry producers and the issues that face them. Photograph: Bill Bradshaw This Cider and Perry Month begins in the wake of Heineken’s decision to cut down almost 300 acres of orchards. The global brewer — which manufactures products including Bulmers, Strongbow, and Inch’s — has felled the trees ahead of its planned sale of Monmouthshire land. “This is an act of needless environmental vandalism by Heineken and it is simply shocking,” said Gillian Hough, CAMRA’s real ale, cider, and perry c ..read more

Sussex-based Harvey’s Brewery has announced changes to a couple of its popular lower-ABV beers, IPA and Dark Mild. The IPA (3.4%) has been renamed Sisters Table Beer, in tribute to the remarkable women who have made invaluable contributions to Harvey’s over the years, and the brewery’s close association with the Seven Sisters cliffs. The label prominently features three women, honouring both sets of extraordinary sisters who have played pivotal roles in the company’s history: May, Elsie, and Nora Harvey-Smith, as well as Audrey Elder, Joan Saunders, and Eileen Rundle. The decision to transiti ..read more

Three of St Austell Brewery’s beers have come away with medals from the SIBA South West Independent Beer Awards competition. There were silver awards for: Cornish Best (3.4% ABV), a full-bodied bitter with toffee and biscuit notes Mena Dhu (4.5% ABV) a stout brewed with six different malts for complexity, and Punchy double IPA Big Job (7.2%), big brother of St Austell favourite Proper Job. The awards, which were presented at MaltingsFest in Newton Abbot, are judged by beer sommeliers, master brewers, and other expert beer judges from across the industry. “We’re thrilled that our beers hav ..read more