Happy New Year to you all. I hope that you all had a very happy Christmas. I had a very good Christmas and in amongst my presents I received a few beer related items: CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide, a book on tasting beer, a nice gift pack of bottled ale and one book I’d like to discuss in greater detail.

‘Man Walks into a Pub – A Sociable History of Beer’ by Pete Brown, available from Amazon and other good booksellers. Pete takes us through the history of beer and the public house/inn/supermarket in Britain. The social history of the humble pint is an amazing and fascinating story.

Do you know where the word Barmy comes from? Why Spitfires had beer barrels strapped under their wings after D-Day? I’ve been an aircraft enthusiast for far too long, and I didn’t know that story.

Well Pete Brown gives you the answers to those questions and a host of other interesting facts, which he tells in a relaxed and entertaining way. From the Early Britons right through to the current almost world-wide mega-brands we see today are covered, not in text book fashion but with a wit and charm that speaks volumes about Pete Brown the person - someone who clearly knows his subject and has a passion for it.

A passion he wants to spread. I too want to spread the word and I hope these articles for the Echo do that, and that someone will try real ale for the first time. I remember my first beer festival, Norwich 1997. It was a wonderful enlightening experience for me, and I hope those that have never tried the wide range of ales that are available, will do so. I loved the Norwich festival so much, I’ve been back there every year since.

Of course, Pete Brown doesn’t just talk about ale. No history of the British pub scene would be complete without talking about lager. It is an important part of British life and contrary to some CAMRA members wishes, people do drink the stuff and why not?

Which brings me on to ‘I can’t believe it’s not bitter’ (4.9% ABV) , a beverage I tried for the first time at Christmas which I recommend you try. It’s a bottle conditioned lager from the Oakleaf Brewery in Gosport. Yes, it’s a lager but it really bridges the gap between lager and ale. According to the label, ‘CAMRA says that this is real ale’; I wonder if anyone has told them that it is a lager?

Talking of Oakleaf Brewery, I mention in a previous article about SWAGGER, the beer to support the Service Wives and Girl Friends Calendar appeal.

The beer is good and some of the shots for the calendar were done at the Bournemouth Aviation Museum, so another good reason to support them.

Finally, a couple more dates for your diaries. 19-20 February is the Gosport Winter Beer Festival and 12-13 March Overton (Hampshire) Beer Festival. Please check out the CAMRA website for more details and order your tickets early to avoid disappointment.