The county of Kent holds a unique place in the history of brewing in Great Britain. When hops were first cultivated in this country around 600 years ago, introduced by Dutch and Flemish merchants, it was at Westbere just outside Canterbury where they were grown. Indeed the Kentish soil proved so suited to the growing of Humulus lupulus, the Latin name for the hop, that the Garden of England soon became the centre of the British hop industry.
Perhaps this is why brewing was one of Kent’s major industries for many, many years. In the market town of Faversham, Shepherd Neame is based – the oldest surviving brewer in the country with a history that can be traced back to 1570, perhaps a little earlier.
Despite its hop heritage, Kent was not immune to the decline in regional brewing that blighted the post-war years. However, in the last decade or so a spectacular renaissance has taken place, and from the dark days of the mid-1990s when the county had only a handful of brewers, it can now boast in excess of forty.
Kent is also the birthplace of the micropub, small and independent pubs that put the focus on locally sourced produce. They have helped revive the brewer’s art in Kent and, in doing so, written the latest chapter in a charming and very colourful history.
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The most common UK pub name is the Red Lion, numbering 656. Cathy Price visited them all during a highly specialised pub-crawl that lasted over four and a half years, and this book tells that story.
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A pocket-sized, travelers’ guide to some of the best walking and best pubs in the Peak District. The book also explores some of the region’s fascinating industrial heritage and has useful information about local transport and accommodation.
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CAMRA’s Yorkshire Pub Walks guides you round the best of England’s largest county, while never straying too far from a decent pint.
A pocket-sized, traveller’s guide to some of the best walking and finest pubs in Yorkshire. The 25 walks are grouped geographically and explore some of the region’s fascinating historical and literary heritage as well as its thriving brewing scene. The walks vary in length from around two miles in cities to just over 4 to 12 miles in the country, and have been designed to appeal to both casual and more serious walkers. The book contains essential information about local transport and accommodation.
Important updates about the routes in Yorkshire Pub Walks – please see this page on the CAMRA website.
Published March 2016
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The brewing industry of the county is explored from the nineteenth century to the current crop of micro-brewers, with their remarkable range of ales, bringing history up to date. Aspects such as malting, transport, tied pubs and advertising are included in this comprehensive history, which provides an overview of Dorset’s brewing heritage before looking more closely at individual concerns in geographically based chapters.
A valuable insight into two centuries of changes in the brewing industry is provided by the wealth of photographs and prints. Informative captions complement the images, making the book an entertaining reference point.
There was a time when most Dorset towns had a brewery chimney as a landmark. While many remain, some have fallen by the wayside. Across the county the number of micro-breweries continues to rise, reinvigorating the industry. The authors will take the reader through their individual stories.
Fully illustrated, the book will inspire the reader to visit a Dorset pub and buy a Dorset beer.
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A practical, pocket-sized guide to the pubs in and around Scotland’s capital city. Never stray too far from a decent pint.
Featuring 25 town, park and coastal walks, Edinburgh Pub Walks enables visitors to explore the many faces of the city.
This book is sponsored by Caledonian Brewery.
‘Well worth the investment for anyone in Edinburgh or planning to be.‘ Alan McLeod on A Good Beer Blog.
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