Guild Member Profile

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Mick O'Hare

Freelance journalist

• London

• pre-entry-into-periodical-journalism-(london-college-of-printing)

• nuj

• Check out my 'You and the Guild' section but additional I have written and edited many books, mostly on science, but also on sport and I am a member of CAMRA's books committee. I have also had my photograph taken with Valentina Tereshkova, once - briefly - the most famous woman in the world. Very few people seem impressed.

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

I was a journalist with New Scientist for 26 years before going freelance in 2018. I authored, among many, the science books Why Don’t Penguins’ Feet Freeze? and Does Anything Eat Wasps? I now write about pretty much anything but especially Cold War politics and Eastern Europe, the history of the Space Race, science, motorsport, rugby league and, when I can, beer and pubs.

What you can offer as a writer/beer lover?

I doubt my knowledge matches that of seasoned members of the guild but I can turn my hand to most writing tasks and, because I am a big beer fan, member of CAMRA and have an interest in classic pubs and bars the world over, can I hope turn that interest into something beneficial for the guild.

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

I’ve long admired some of the writers among the guild’s membership so there is a vicarious pleasure in being accepted as one of their number.

• Time at the bar: Why are pubs disappearing from Britain’s streets?

  They were once bastions of cultural heritage, but their numbers have been dwindling for years, with small independents bearing the brunt of changing drinking habits. Mick O’Hare looks back at the history of the Great British Pub and finds not all hope is lost

• The centuries-old battle over Budweiser

  It is a David versus Goliath affair that has spanned centuries, countries and courthouses. Mick O’Hare delves into the bitter history of one of the world’s most famous lagers

• CAMRA - Europe's most successful consumer organisation

  CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale has been Europe’s most successful consumer organisation. But as it turns 50, can it rise to the challenge of the twin threats of Covid and craft beer? Mick O’Hare reports

• How the invention of the pH scale changed beer forever

  When the scale to measure the pH level of beer was invented by a chemist in the Carlsberg research laboratory, it was shared with brewers around the world. Mick O’Hare tells the story

   

  Associated story:

  The Ignition Brewery and tap room in Sydenham might be small, but it’s impact on those with learning disabilities is huge, writes Mick O’Hare

  https://www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium/igntion-brewery-lewisham-beer-learning-disability-b2136475.html