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Guild Member Profile

John Porter

Journalist
  • Full member
  • journalist
  • sommelier
  • writer
  • comms pr exec agency
  • comms pr exec inhouse
  • London
  • nctj-cert-journalism
  • academy-sommelier
  • beer-judging-exp
  • how-to-judge-beer
  • intl-beer-challenge-judge
  • tasting
  • world-beer-awards-judge
  • almr
  • camra
  • gbs
  • cider
  • food-matching
  • history-of-beer
  • music
  • off-trade
  • on-trade
  • politics
  • social-med
  • spirits
  • city bus

What is the one thing you'd like to tell visitors to the Guild's website?

I’m a journalist and PR professional with 30 years experience, and I enjoy a pint. That’s two things.

What you can offer as a writer/beer lover?

I’m a freelance food and drink journalist, accredited Beer Sommelier, and co-director of hospitality industry PR consultancy ShielPorter Communications, providing PR and marketing services to a range of clients. I contribute feature and comment articles to a range of B2B and consumer titles, and I am the former Food Editor of The Publican and Features Editor of Retail Week. I have experience in food, drink, pub, restaurant and retail journalism across trade, consumer, broadcast and online media. As a Beer Sommelier, I have hosted beer tastings and beer & food matching events for corporate and consumer events, in venues ranging from local pubs to the Playboy Club. My judging experience includes The Publican Awards, The Publican Food & Drink Awards, CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain, CAMRA Champion Cider & Perry of Britain, Society of Independent Brewers Awards, Tesco Drinks Awards and Honey Beer award at The National Honey Show.

What do you like most about being a Guild of Beer Writers member?

I enjoy the opportunity to network with colleagues and fellow professionals from across the industry.

Pieces of work by John:

  • Cheers to great beer this Christmas

    Seasonal beer matching advice for Fuller’s Tenants Extra licensee magazine

  • Defining the Craft Beer movement

    Comment article for Carlsberg UK Crafted magazine

  • The Caterer interview: Joycelyn Neve

    Q&A with the founder of the award winning Seafood Pub Company for The Caterer

  • The Joule in the Crown

    Profile of brewer and pub operator Joules Brewery for Propel Quarterly