Brewers and Distillers by Profession, the illustrated history of the Institute of Brewing and Distilling by Ray Anderson, was launched at a reception in London last night. The Institute began life in 1886 as a gathering of a handful of young scientists with a professional interest in brewing science and technology in a disreputable quarter of London. Today it is the leading organisation of its type in the world with over 4000 members.
The Author, Ray Anderson says “”Institutional biographies can be very boring to read. The recital of names and activities of luminaries long since forgotten can be tedious to all but the anorak historian. I have attempted to paint a fair picture, “warts and all”, of the Institute over the years rather than present the uncritical hagiography that has often been the custom with corporate histories. It has been my intention in writing the book to temper scholarship with humanity and perhaps even humour; to provide insight into the personalities involved within the context of the times through which they lived.”
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For further information Paul.k.hegarty@googlemail.com
Notes to Editors
Brewers and Distillers by Profession, a history of the Institute of Brewing & Distilling by Ray Anderson. This rigorously documented 374 page A4 format book is complete with over 200 illustrations and can be purchased in either paperback (£11.99 plus postage) or hardback (£21.99 plus postage) from IBD Publications at http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/
After a PhD in microbiological chemistry at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Ray Anderson joined the Brewing Industry Research Foundation in Surrey in 1972. Three years later he moved on to Allied Breweries and by the early eighties was in charge of the company’s research laboratory, pilot brewery and technical information service in Burton-on-Trent. Ray’s interest in brewing history developed as research in the industry as he knew it gradually became a thing of the past. By the late nineties he was ready to welcome ‘early retirement’ from what had become Carlsberg Tetley Brewing. He has been honorary president of the flourishing Brewery History Society for the last ten years and continues to write and lecture. Ray lives in Derbyshire and enjoys walking, wedding cake and beer – not necessarily in that order.
The Institute of Brewing & Distilling (IBD) is the world’s leading professional body for people working in brewing and distilling. The organisation originated as the “Laboratory Club” in 1886 and now has an international membership of 4000 people based in over 50 countries world-wide. www.ibd.org.uk