January, 2011

The Scots are coming...

The Alma - Burns weekBurns night keeps getting more fun. Whereas it used to be solely whisky to accompany the obligatory haggis and Rabbie Burns poetry, and a kilt was essential to gain entry, these days it could be beer* or wine** that’s in your glass.

For anyone embarking on their own Burns Night celebrations, the two most famous verses of Rabbie's Ode follow below. But why restrict festivities to one night?

Posted on 19 Jan 2011 in

Biodynamics takes root in Britain

Sedlescombe First ReleaseAs Britain’s first biodynamic wine hit the shelves, so Laverstoke Park Farm, owned by former racing driver Jody Scheckter, played host to the first meeting of UK organic and biodynamic wine producers back in December.

While 2500 acres of Laverstoke Park Farm are certified biodynamic and its glasshouses are in the final stages of conversion, it was long time organic pioneer Roy Cook who was the first to release a biodynamic wine from his East Sussex-based winery, Sedlescombe.

Posted on 15 Jan 2011 in

Southwold favourite adds gin and vodka to the mix

Adnams stillEast Anglia’s much loved coastal brewery, Adnams, stepped outside its comfort zone before Christmas with the launch of its own gin and vodka in a move dubbed “a natural progression” by head brewer, Fergus Fitzgerald.

Although not uncommon on mainland Europe, Adnams is the first UK brewery to add a distillery. “The only reason it hasn’t happened before was that it was illegal,” says Fergus. “But this changed five or six years ago. Brewers could never be distillers before, based on when duty was charged on the amount of grain used rather than the product.

Posted on 13 Jan 2011 in

Lock up your daughters...

Brewdog at The White Horse

London gets its first taste of Brewdog’s no-holds barred food and beer tasting with a Burns Night dinner at one of the capital's finest beer pubs, The White Horse in Parson’s Green.

Alongside kilts, the bagpipes and poetry recitations of the great bard – of course – Brewdog co-founder James Watt promises “to add BrewDog’s customary bite” to the evening, providing “a spark of Scottish punk verve”.

Posted on 13 Jan 2011 in

The magnificent seven

Artis & Vine and DrinkBritain.comSeven of the UK’s leading winemakers are coming to town to share with consumers their visions in a new series of mid-week tasting dinners.

In a UK first, the award-winning Artisan & Vine wine bar is teaming up with DrinkBritain.com to launch a Best of English Meet the Winemaker series of events. Taking over Artisan & Vine’s popular Wednesday evening slot, the winemakers will guide guests through five of their wines alongside a three course meal specially created by resident chef James Robson.

 

Posted on 13 Jan 2011 in