The lost beers and breweries of Britain

Many beers have now gone, but they are not forgotten. They may have been swept away by a tide of takeovers and closures, their rich heritage casually spilt on the boardroom floor, but their powerful presence still lingers in the air. And some famous names have even risen from the dead to haunt the bars once more. Barnsley Bitter was a name to conjure with in Yorkshire and beyond for years. When Courage decided to close the Oakwell Brewery in 1973, thousands of protest marchers poured on to the streets and questions were asked in the House of Commons – all to no avail. But the beer’s pulling power was so strong that a number of new breweries have tried to revive the revered recipe and two still trade on this liquid legend today. Brian Glover provides a nostalgic look at the breweries which have vanished, packed with colourful illustrations showing the fine art of selling beer. It’s a rare chance to drink in the past.