Writer and blogger specialising in alcohol-free beer, craft beer, hospitality and getting outdoors.
This in-depth guide to Southampton city centre’s best craft beer and real ale pubs, micropubs and bars includes recommended pub crawls with maps and directions, plus information on local breweries, getting around, where to stay and more. Comments, improvements, suggestions, corrections? Leave a comment below or contact me.
A few months back, I popped up to Leeds to check out the city’s oft-hyped craft beer scene.… Read more
We all know a person who complains they’re “too busy”. But then spends every spare moment checking their phone.
To be fair, in the always-connected age we live in, it’s difficult not to get distracted – not only by our smartphones but by that fear of missing out on something that’s happening right now.
The problem is, it’s all pointless stuff isn’t it?… Read more
As with starting any business venture, setting up a micropub takes a lot of effort and a lot of time.
There’s added complications too, like needing an alcohol licence and having to explain the micropub concept to potential investors and the community.
However, this hasn’t stopped hundreds of micropubs springing up in former shops, cafes and other quirky buildings across the UK in the last few years.… Read more
Lidl made its name in the UK as a discount supermarket.
Now though it’s not just a place to go if you want to save a few bob – not only is a trip to Lidl less painful that traipsing around one of the big supermarkets, but its own-brand products are top notch too.
Lidl is currently the UK’s fastest growing supermarket.… Read more
This newborn baby checklist includes all the essential items you’ll need, as well as a list of the finance and work-related things you need to sort out before your baby is born.
Need. Need. Need. Got. Need.
No. I’m not one of those adults who collects football stickers in an effort to re-live their childhood.
Instead, I’m working through what feels like a never-ending checklist of items we have to buy for our newborn baby.… Read more
Looking for craft beer shops and specialist bottle shops in Southampton? Find out where to buy craft beer to drink at home in this guide.
With five breweries and a glut of excellent pubs and bars in the city, the Southampton craft beer scene is booming.
Yet, it’s still pretty difficult to get hold of decent craft beer in the city’s supermarkets and off licences – in many of them, all you’ll find is the usual uninspiring mix of beers from big brands and a few better-known independents.… Read more
