Here it is - Scientific Proof That Going to a Pub is Good For You...

Yes, well we all knew it, but now there is scientific proof that going to a pub is actually good for you. Here is a brief except from the study:

The survey data suggest that respondents who have a ‘local’ that they visit on a regular basis are more socially engaged, feel more contented in their lives, and are more likely to trust other members of their community. On some, but not all of our social measures, those who drink ‘casually’ were more socially engaged than those who didn’t drink at all, suggesting that there are independent effects due to being a drinker and having a regular drinking venue.

The study is called: Functional Benefits of (Modest) Alcohol Consumption, and was published by in December 2016 by a number of learned individuals. To read the entire paper, please click here. 

So, finish your home work and head down to the pub.

The Old Queen's Head Tavern - is it still there?

From the book "National History and Views of London and Its Environs," by C.F. Partington - published in 1857. Located "in the Lower Street" of Islington, legend has it that the Old Queen's Head Tavern was named for, and in honor of, Queen Elizabeth. It is noted as a "strong wood and plaster building," so I wonder if it still exists.

Drop me a line if you know whether or not the Old Queen's Head Tavern is still in business. Cheers!

Who Invented the French Fry? Read On...

Was it the French or the Belgians? Who makes the most authentic fries - can an authentic fry even be defined? And, if you really want to start an argument - who makes the best fry -  French with their frites, the Belgians with their frieten, maybe the British with their chips, could it even be the Americans or the Canadians.
A great article from Emily Monaco, at the BBC.  Click Here

Go and Buy This Porter ASAP - Robinsons Trooper Red 'n' Black Porter

I picked up a few bottles of Robinsons Trooper Red n'n Black Porter a month or so ago, and just now finally got around to giving it a try - darn good, nice and rich and smooth and malty. Then I find out it is a limited edition, and when it's gone - it's gone.
Well, it's gone - Robinsons Brewery is sold out, and apparently they are not brewing anymore (let's hope they change their minds), so if you can, get out and seek out this porter.

Robinsons Brewery - Trooper Red  'n' Black Porter. Go find it.

Alcohol - Not salads....

I just heard this on the Radcliffe and Maconie show on BBC Radio 6 - the topic of conversation was signs people have seen in a pub. So, a caller related that in his pub there was a sign that said: "Drink alcohol, as no great story ever started with a salad."  Ha

Is Oak the Only Wood Suitable for Aging Whisky?

Here's a quick little article from the folks over at Slate. Although I agree with the answer, for the most part, I find it interesting that there is no mention of the beer/whisky connection, and the fact that this connection is two-way, i.e. beer aged in whisky barrels and whisky aged in beer barrels. 
Here's the link.

Save Money, Live Well, Drink Beer - Sounds Like a Plan for Life

Digging around some dusty old book shelfs I recently ran across this article in an old publication called "World's Work," published in 1908. The article is about how the Belgians of the day were some of the most thrifty people in the world, and also some of the biggest beer drinkers.
I just uploaded the article in The Reading Room. Click here to find the article. Great philosophy on living - and it includes beer. Win-WIn