The Real Ale Almanac Book

"Intense smoky character in the mouth; toffee and coffee in the dry finish." No, it's not someone describing their favourite, purple-wrapped Quality Street. It's a dark ruby ale from Springhead Brewery in Newark as described by Roger Protz in his fifth edition of the Real Ale pocketbook. There are, no doubt, thousands of beer lovers around the country and this is aimed at the enthusiast. Protz, who won the 1997 Glenfiddich Drink Writer of the Year award for his beer writing, lists around 300 breweries with helpful notes on each of their products. The listings are broken down into rather large regions (Scotland, Central England etc.) and one of the book's downfalls for travellers is a lack of even the most general map. A note of the whereabouts of the nearest decent pub to each brewery might also have been useful. Having said that, if you fancy a trip around any part of Britain and want to take in a few breweries, the book is invaluable. There are details of guided tours and reception centres and, if you're a bit of a novice, there is a short introduction to what beer's all about. And you might just discover that particular brew with a "spicy orange hoppiness". --Nick TarayanRead More