“Dry January” Trademark challenge signals end of abstention for AF Drinks One of the UK’s leading alcohol-free brands, Big Drop Brewing Co, has successfully challenged a trademark on the term ‘Dry January’ in a tribunal held by the UK Intellectual Property Office*. The trademark for Dry January was registered by Alcohol Research UK (now known as Alcohol Change UK) in 2014 to support its science-based resources for harmful and hazardous drinkers. This was in the primary class of educational and behavioural change programmes but, in 2022, ACUK sought to extend the trademark in new ..read more

Independent family brewer Shepherd Neame has unveiled a new look for its popular Spitfire Lager. The refreshing British lager (4% ABV) now has an equally refreshing new visual identity incorporating a bespoke hand-drawn Spitfire logo emulating the vapour trails created by the iconic wartime aircraft which the beer takes its name from. It retains a Spitfire silhouette, along with a recrafted Shepherd Neame monogram inspired by its heritage as Britain’s oldest brewer, accompanied by the text ‘Kent Born’, drawing upon the provenance and quality of its centuries of brewing experienc ..read more

Stannary Brewing Co and Hop Union Brewery have taken home the two Overall Champion awards at the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) South West Independent Beer Awards, which took place last night at the MaltingsFest beer festival in Newton Abbot. ‘Winnemucca’ by Stannary Brewing Co, a hazy double dry hopped New England Pale Ale, was named the best cask beer in the competition after a final round jugding against all other beer style category winners. In the seperate keg beer competition it was Hop Union Brewery’s ‘Two Steppin’ India Pale Lager that took overall Gold, combining the moder ..read more

Liam Martyn, a highly experienced Area Manager within Stonegate Group, has been recognised for his work championing Stonewall Housing, a charity dedicated to supporting thousands of LGBTQ+ people in the UK every year. The charity provides housing advice, advocacy and support for those that are facing homelessness and is the only UK based charity working with homeless LGBTQ+ people of all ages. Since becoming an Area Manager in 2020, Liam has been dedicated to making a difference in his community and inspiring the London based teams within his 17 LGBTQ+ site remit. To date, Liam and his city-wi ..read more

The Forester, on Leighton Road in Ealing, was the place to be yesterday [Saturday 20 April 2024] when local dignitaries came out to celebrate the pub’s new look. Local MP Dr Rupa Huq, joined local Mayor, Cllr Hitesh Tailor, to cut the official opening ribbon – before Rupa took to the decks with an impressive DJ set to get the party underway. The Forester, a Fuller’s managed pub, has been completely refurbished with the aim of bringing together tradition and modernity. The walls and shelves are adorned with Fuller’s bric-a-brac from across the years – and the fireplace is an original feature de ..read more

Award-winning Sandford Orchards is celebrating British Cider Week with the launch of a new film which goes behind the scenes to discover the people, places and processes involved in making their authentic cider. Barny Butterfield, Chief Cidermaker at Sandford Orchards comments: “We know that what we do at Sandford Orchards is pretty special. We are not like your average cider producer but it is sometimes hard to encapsulate those differences. That’s why we enlisted the help of award-winning brand storytelling agency Untold to help us articulate our story and ..read more

Northern Monk, together with Toast and Muntons Malt, have brewed a beer using regenerative grain and surplus bread to celebrate Earth Day 2024. Using regenerative barley from Muntons, and fresh, surplus bread supplied by Toast, the 5.0% Pale Ale, One for the Earth, commemorates Earth Day, an annual event to demonstrate support for environmental protection. 60% of the grain bill is Regenerative Agriculture malt from a single farm in Yorkshire, a farming process which helps improve soil quality and biodiversity and through Munton’s low carbon production is some of the lowest carbon foo ..read more

Ross-on-Wye Cider & Perry Company are opening their doors for their annual charity blossom walk. On Saturday 4th May, visitors are welcomed to Broome Farm for a selfguided orchard stroll, ambling up and down hills of blossoming cider apples and leafy perry pear trees. The orchard walk starts and ends at their pub, the Yew Tree Inn, Peterstow, on the A49, so access is simple via car or bus route 33. The walk is officially 12-4PM on Saturday but visitors are welcome anytime, and the route remains open all through the summer. “It’s lovely to welcome neighbours and local visitors to our orchar ..read more

On Tuesday, 30th April from 5pm, the Admiral Duncan in London’s Soho is welcoming the LGBTQ+ community, regulars, locals, and allies to the venue to join its celebration of life and to commemorate its history. 25 years ago, the Admiral Duncan was at the centre of a three-part extremist bombing. The one-man campaign intended to stir up ethnic and homophobic tensions and the tragedy sent shockwaves through the nation. However, the event marked an important and positive shift in the relationship between the LGBTQ+ community and the Metropolitan Police force who compassionately dealt with the ..read more

Bristol Bears players Siva Naulago and Kalaveti Ravouvou cut the ribbon at the reopening of The Windmill in Portishead – following a transformative refurbishment. Overlooking the Severn Estuary, The Windmill boasts panoramic windows and an outside seating area with stunning views. The newly transformed dining area overlooks the pub’s garden which rolls right down to the waterside – giving the illusion of alfresco dining even when sat inside.  The refurbishment has seen the whole pub modernised – with dark blues and greens complimenting the natural light. The dining area has plen ..read more