Bad Week for Brewing

George Bateman was one of the most vibrant men in brewing and it was with great sadness that I heard of his passing from cancer.

I only had the privelege of meeting him once but he was courteous and interested in my views on beer, it's great loss to the industry.

And here's hoping that Dave Wickett at the Kelham Island Brewery manages to stay afloat following recent flooding in the north of England.

Talking to the British Guild of Beer Writers' newsletter Dave said: "The water started to flood the car park at 3pm, I told the staff to secure and abandon the brewery at around 4pm. Half an hour later the Don burst its banks and the whole area was flooded.

"This morning we have noticed that a couple of conditioning tanks on tall legs in the room at the back may have not gone under water so we might have a little bit of beer left but otherwise it's a big setback."

Dave makes one of my favourite beers, if not THE favourite, Pale Rider - and I would implore fellow beer fans to support Kelham Island by buying their beers when they start brewing again.