NEWS

Hospitality leader Rob Hattersley, founder and managing director of Longbow Venues, has warned that the 2025 Budget delivers “yet another attack on pubs, restaurants and hospitality businesses already at breaking point”, after discovering that the rateable value on one of his Peak District pubs has surged from £49,000 to £205,000 - a 318 per cent increase.   Rob, who has appeared on Times Radio and BBC Breakfast this week to discuss the growing financial pressures on hospital

The Drinks Trade Regatta has announced a new partnership with The Drinks Trust and Only A Pavement Away for 2026. The Drinks Trade Regatta is an annual sailing event for the hospitality trade whereby brewing, wines and spirits companies compete with on-trade retailers, restaurants and suppliers for a memorable team building and hospitality event. Established for 10 years, the annual event has raised over £125,000 for charities to date. The 2026 event will be supporting two

Admiral Taverns, the UK’s leading community pub group with c 1,350 pubs across England, Scotland and Wales, is pleased to announce that the Group has been awarded the ‘Best Recruitment Strategy’ at the British Institute of Innkeeping’s 2025 National Innovation in Training Awards (NITAs). The Awards took place on Thursday 20 th  November at Porchester Hall in London.   This year’s NITAs brought over 300 industry professionals together to celebrate those who go the extra mile t

Exclusive 20L Keg to be Served at Beer Merchants Tap on Thursday 18th December Cave Direct and Beer Merchants Tap are proud to announce a historic first for the UK beer scene: the arrival and pouring of Celly Drippins, an ultra-limited beer from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., never before served outside of their taprooms in Chico, California and Fletcher, North Carolina. Celly Drippins is brewed using the drippings from the dry hop bags used to produce Sierra Nevada’s iconic annu

Photos taken during the British Guild of Beer Writers Awards 2025 can be viewed by clicking the link below. Thanks to Cath Harries for being our photographer on the night. British Guild of Beer Writers Awards 2025 Photos

Independent breweries are brewing incredible beer. But all too often, their brands are the thing holding them back. That’s where Branding for Breweries comes in,  a new book by creative strategist, beer branding expert and podcast host Tim (The Brand) Weaver, out to buy on amazon today! "Branding for Breweries: The Essential Playbook to Stand Out, Sell More Beer, and Build a Brewery Brand People Love" is a practical, plain-speaking (and occasionally cheeky) guide for brewery

Celebrated restaurateur and author of Unreasonable Hospitality to headline CBC’s opening session Boulder, Colo. (December 1, 2025) — The Brewers Association (BA)—the not-for-profit trade association representing small and independent American craft brewers—announced today that hospitality entrepreneur and bestselling author Will Guidara will deliver the keynote address at the 2026 Craft Brewers Conference® & BrewExpo America® (CBC®), taking place April 20–22, 2026, in Phi

We are delighted to announce the launch of the 14th annual Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards, which celebrate the achievements of the UK's leading and emerging writers, broadcasters, photographers and creators recognised for their varied cultural influences, culinary traditions, and storytelling.   An independent panel of expert judges, led by Angela Hartnett OBE, select the winners in 12 categories from work published or broadcast in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ire

Showerings, the Somerset-based fine cider producer, is celebrating what experts are calling one of the sweetest harvests in recent memory, with over 2,700 tonnes of Dabinett apples collected this season, almost triple last year’s 1,000 tonnes. Weeks of summer sunshine across southern England have concentrated sugars in the fruit, echoing the conditions described by orchard master Bob Wadey, who noted that this year’s apples are smaller but significantly sweeter. The result is

Stirchley’s own Attic Brew Co. brought a dose of festive cheer and local love to King’s Heath on Friday 28th November by surprising drinkers at The Hare and Hounds - buying everyone in the pub a pint. The spontaneous giveaway was part of a celebration of Attic’s flagship pale ale, Intuition , a Great Taste award-winning beer known for its easy-drinking, vibrant character and its place at the heart of Birmingham’s craft beer scene. Attic’s team arrived unannounced at the belov

Winners at the 2025’s edition of the British Guild of Beer Writers Awards - Credit Cath Harries Taking place last night at Big Penny Social in London, The British Guild of Beer Writers celebrated the best work from beer, pub and cider journalists, bloggers, broadcasters and all-around communicators. Work was entered into 14 separate categories for a chance to win an esteemed award and prize money, with judges reviewing 214 pieces of work. All entries were judged by the Guild’

2025 cask now rolling out across Fuller’s pubs, with limited bottles launching online 9th December London, November 2025;   Dark Star Brewing Co. is pleased to announce the return of Prize Old Ale, now available in cask as part of its annual release programme, with a limited run of 500ml bottles of the 2025 vintage launching online on Tuesday 9 December. Prize Old Ale (POA) has been brewed for over a century and continues to be one of Dark Star’s most anticipated yearly relea

Hook Norton Brewery is proud to announce the brewing of a special beer, JB’s Journey, created to help raise awareness of the former Banbury Rugby Club captain and coach John Baker, who sustained a serious injury last November. John’s wife Tina, daughter Georgina, and close family friend Paul Jackson joined brewer Robin Underwood at Hook Norton Brewery to take part in the full brewing process. Together, they spent the day crafting JB’s Journey, a beer dedicated to supporting J

In a written statement by Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, the Welsh government has announced that they have initiated the process to appoint a Deposit Management Organisation (DMO) to run its Deposit Return Scheme.   Commenting on the statement, Travis Way, Managing Director at EcoVend, a brand by international circularity specialists Reconomy, said: “This is an important and encouraging step forward in

Derbyshire & Peak District hotels team up with Athletic Brewing to support county’s Don’t Risk the Drive campaign   Casa Hotel and Peak Edge Hotel have partnered with award-winning alcohol-free brewer Athletic Brewing to reward guests who choose to drive safely during the festive season and support Derbyshire’s Don’t Risk the Drive campaign.   Throughout December, designated drivers can enjoy The Designated Driver’s Pint: a complimentary pint of alcohol-free Athletic Run Wil

Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “After a challenging Budget, the Employment Rights Bill has been adding to anxiety so the decision to remove this clause will be a relief to many brewers and publicans who might otherwise have been cautious about taking on new staff. We now call on Government to work with the BBPA and other trade sectors to further improve the Employment Rights Bill, retain flexibility and to avoid unintended consequences and

CAMRA names the four finalists in the overall Club of the Year 2025 competition The Club of the Year competition is heating up as CAMRA unveils the top four social clubs in the UK. Run in conjunction with Club Mirror , the award recognises clubs offering a fantastic atmosphere, welcoming surroundings and most importantly, top quality cask beer served in great condition.   The four fantastic finalists will now battle it out to claim CAMRA’s overall Club of the Year title, the

Independent brewer and pub company Shepherd Neame’s team members and pubs won three accolades at the National Innovation in Training Awards (NITAs), organised by the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII).   The Faversham-based brewer won Best Training Programme: Sustainability Award – Individual Site; Best Training Programme: Apprenticeships and Hospitality Apprentice of the Year – Operations at a glittering ceremony at Porchester Hall London, on Thursday, November 20.   The

Hook Norton Brewery, renowned for its rich brewing history since 1849, will be showcasing it’s Heritage Clothing range at a special event on Friday 5th December 5pm - 8pm.  Inspired by the brewery’s deep-rooted countryside heritage and timeless British style, the collection is a natural extension of the Hook Norton lifestyle—authentic, rugged, and unmistakably rural. The collection features staple wardrobe pieces made for life in the country, including: Traditional Check Shir

Britain’s oldest brewer Shepherd Neame has revealed a fresh new look for one of its most iconic bottled ales, Bishops Finger.   First brewed in 1958, Bishops Finger was the first strong ale produced by the Faversham-based independent brewer and pub company following the end of 20 years of malt rationing.   The beer takes its name from an ancient Kentish signpost found on the Pilgrim’s Way that pointed travellers towards Canterbury and the shrine of Thomas à Becket in the city