Sally Toms experiences a touch of seasonal cynicism.
Well it’s 2008, and the new year has brought with it its usual dose of guilt and financial hardship. I for one am sick to death of people telling me to ‘kick-start’ the new year with detox, diet and exercise. It’s utterly depressing to be constantly told don’t eat dairy, don’t eat fat, don’t eat mea...
By Sally Toms
from Issue 16 published on 25/01/2008
Sally Toms considers how beer can play a part in the search for romance.
I’ve been thinking lately about image. As fairly typical 21st century consumerist slaves, we define ourselves by what we wear, what we drive and, yes, what we drink. And like it or not, first impressions count.
One of the BOTW staff is looking for Mr Right, and on one all-important first date recen...
By Sally Toms
from Issue 15 published on 01/12/2007
Sally Toms celebrates the life of Michael Jackson, the Beer Hunter
In this issue I was going to talk a bit about this year’s Great British Beer Festival and my sad attempts at home-brew.... But this has paled into insignificance next to an extremely sad event.
The news of Michael Jackson’s death spread around the world like fire in dry grass. He died of a heart at...
By Sally Toms
from Issue 14 published on 04/10/2007
Sally Toms rants about glassware and daydreams about brewing
Another issue, another chapter in the search of beer enlightenment...
This time my tutor was Kentish brewer Shepherd Neame (or Sheps, as it is fondly known locally) and so I found myself sitting alongside pub staff and licensees on its Master of Beer course, the point of which is to ensure that all...
By Sally Toms
from Issue 13 published on 03/08/2007
The tables turn on Sally Toms, as she gets a chance to be brewer for a day
There are a few perks of being editor of an illustrious magazine such as this.
Occasionally companies send me strange things in the post, like socks and olive oil (no I don’t understand it either), but my recent experience has to be one of the best.
As part of my ongoing beer education, those nice...
By Sally Toms
from Issue 12 published on 25/05/2007
Sally Toms says you can’t be too picky when it comes to your local
I have recently bought my first house and never have I been so grateful for the humble British pub.
In between bouts of cement mixing, plastering and paint stripping, my local has been a watery oasis, god save her.
I’m sure the landlord isn’t quite as pleased as he sweeps up the red trail of brick...
By Sally Toms
from Issue 11 published on 23/03/2007
Sally Toms thinks about the price of a pint
Hurrah for the Spring sales! Like any self-respecting shopper I have been out hunting for bargains amongst the sale rails; there is always something out there that catches my eye, and yes I do need it.
However all this price cutting got me thinking about the price of beer, and its perception in the...
By Sally Toms
from Issue 10 published on 26/01/2007
Sally Toms declares herself unfashionable and bemoans about uninformed bar staff
On a recent holiday to the South West of England with my other half, I could not resist popping in to a brewery (and he did not resist).
At St Austell Brewery in Cornwall we were greeted by the affable and hugely knowledgeable Roger Ryman, brewing director. After a tour of the brewery, a delightful...
By Sally Toms
from Issue 9 published on 22/11/2006
Dominic Roskrow dons the Editor’s hat for the last time and looks at his baby’s first year in existence
This is my last issue as Editor of Beers of the World and as of issue eight, Sally Toms will be at the helm.
I’ll still be consultant editor to the title and will be writing regularly for it, but I must admit to a degree of sadness at going. It’s always a little bit hard when you move on from a job...
By Dominic Roskrow
from Issue 7 published on 28/07/2006
The English don’t shout loudly enough about good news, says Dominic Roskrow, or stand up enough when it’s bad
Ask anyone from elsewhere in the British isles and they’ll tell you that the English are an arrogant race. I think this is a load of old poppycock.
The English might be bellicose and aggressive when roused, but by and large they’re a humble breed who queue up in an orderly fashion, rarely complain,...
By Dominic Roskrow
from Issue 6 published on 18/05/2006
Editor Dominic Roskrow on those magic malt moments that sneak up on you and remind you why beer and whisky can be so special
Over my many years on this planet, I’ve had more magic moments from malt – beer and whisky – than Champagne ones.
The principle reason for this is that celebration moments with Champagne tend to be contrived – you have something to celebrate so out comes the Champagne. Malt moments are more spontan...
By Dominic Roskrow
from Issue 5 published on 24/03/2006
Beer has become a topic of conversation at the dinner table. And, says Dominic Roskrow, that’s very good news
Writing about rock music, someone once said, is a bit like dancing to architecture. The same could be said with regard to talking about beer.
There have always been a group of people who seem to talk about nothing else, of course, but if I’m brutally honest, I’ve always considered them a bit nerdis...
By Dominic Roskrow
from Issue 4 published on 27/01/2006
As England and Wales brace themselves for the much hyped 24 hour drinking laws, Dominic Roskrow argues it need not lead to onslaught of drunken behaviour
It’s not often that you get to be part of history. But as we went to press with this issue England and Wales were taking the monumental step of joining the rest of the civilised world and allowing its pubs to extend their opening hours.
This being the United Kingdom, the move came accompanied by me...
By Dominic Roskrow
from Issue 3 published on 12/01/2006
Much has changed in the beer industry since Editor Dominic Roskrow last wrote about it three years ago... But, he argues, not all the change has been bad
What a remarkable few weeks it’s been since we published the first issues of Beers of the World. Never in my entire career have I experienced a more joyous and welcoming response to a newspaper or magazine.
From an editorial point of view the most exciting aspect is that we can honestly say ‘you ai...
By Dominic Roskrow
from Issue 2 published on 16/11/2005
It’s been months in the planning but it’s finally here - a consumer magazine devoted to beer. And, argues Editor Dominic Roskrow, about time too
Welcome to the first issue of Beers of the World, the international consumer magazine dedicated to celebrating beer and the people who make it.
We’re well aware of how ambitious we’re being by taking on such a vast subject. But let’s be honest, there couldn’t be a better time to do it.
Across the ...
By Dominic Roskrow
from Issue 1 published on 26/08/2005
