london

Admittedly I'm relatively new to the beer scene, but I don't recall ever seeing such a fab array of books out there about beer in all its guises. From beginners to connoisseurs via trivia hunters and London bar-hoppers, its a great time to be reading the spoken word while supping a pint.

While CAMRA's Good Pub Guide remains a bible (£12.99, £10 to CAMRA members) – I have it in all its guises, parchment, iphone app (invaluable) and on my Garmin satnav – these four are very welcome newcomers to our shelves.

Knowledgeable cider-drinking folk aren’t just limited to rural patches of Somerset and Kent these days - they’re in the capital city and they’ve got serious thirsts to be met. Thankfully, help is at hand.

Providing London’s cider enthusiasts with a place to drink is The Euston Cider Tap in King’s Cross, just opened by the beer enthusiasts behind The Euston Tap. Sitting across the road from its barley-loving brother, The Euston Cider Tap gives a small nod to cider's rural beginnings in the form of some casual hay bale seating outside the stone lodge, while inside it’s more bar stool chic.