Paul Bailey

• quality control manager

• South East

• beer-academy-found
• beer-judging-exp

• camra

• A keen beer enthusiast with a lifetime’s experience of beer, pubs and brewing, both in the UK as well as abroad. I have been writing and illustrating this blog for over 10 years now, and have published over 1,000 beer and travel related posts to date. Still gainfully employed as head of quality control for a company operating in the Medical Device sector, I am married and live with my wife on the edge of a medium sized town, in the beautiful Kentish Weald. We have a son who is in his mid-twenties, who shares some, but not all of my interests in beer, brewing and travelling. My interests are many and varied, and whilst beer (and the enjoyment of it) obviously features high on the list I also enjoy travelling, walks in the countryside and the occasional spot of cycling. My other main interests are history and music, especially 70's rock music. I have been a member of CAMRA since the mid 1970's and over the years have edited several local branch magazines, as well as writing most of the copy. I have also researched, written and had published, two guides to Kent pubs. I am a fully-trained beer taster and have judged at several CAMRA and other beer festivals. I have also conducted a number of guided beer tastings, introducing participants to the some of the wide variety of different beer styles that are available today. For six years my wife and I also ran our own successful real-ale off-licence, which as well as selling cask ale to take away by the pint, offered one of the best selections of bottled beers in the south east. Prior to taking on the shop, I was an accomplished home-brewer producing a wide range of full-mash beers. I fully intend to get back into brewing, and am looking at designs for a semi-automated plant, capable of producing larger volumes than the traditional five gallon set-up. After selling the off-licence business in early 2007, I have travelled extensively seeking out many of the classic European beer destinations, as well as places further afield. My most recent trip was to China; a country which is only just awakening to the potential that beer tourism has to offer. I have also visited Japan and the United States. As with beer, I write about my travel experiences on the blog, in order to inspire readers to check out some of these places for themselves.

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

Experienced beer writer and blogger, with two books published on Kent Pubs, who has been learning and writing about beer for the past 30 plus years.

What you can offer as a writer/beer lover?

Over 40 years experience of enjoying beer, not just in the UK but all over the world. An experienced home-brewer who has visited over 40 breweries, both in the UK as well as in Europe.

Experience of cellar-work, working at beer festivals and running my own specialist off-licence.

Active member of CAMRA since the mid-1970’s. Former branch newsletter and magazine editor. Beer buyer and festival organiser (in conjunction with others).

Have been writing my own beer and travel blog since 2008, publishing on average, 10 posts a month.

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

The social side of the Guild.  Getting to meet like-minded people, united by a common interest in beer and all things related. 

 The functions and socials which the Guild arranges, which are now being supplemented by educational events. The latter help writers develop their skills an provide assistance and guidelines for getting their work published.