Mark Briggs

Beer Columnist

Latest articles from Mark Briggs

Our own master of ale, Mark Briggs, reveals his best beers of year

Well, a new year has just been heralded. So, this is an opportune time to highlight some of my favourite beers, that have been immensely enjoyed during the previous 12 months. It’s a year in which I have consumed many outstanding alcoholic beverages; beers deemed, in my opinion, to have had the wow factor.

Mark Briggs in Fine Fettle as he brews up a new mild

I think many discerning beer drinkers will agree that traditional mild ale has become one of the nation’s endangered beer styles. Some of the more cynical commentators would say it is a type from a bygone era - an outmoded beer that only chunnering old men consumed, sat round a table in the corner of the pub.

A welcome addition to East Lancashire's beery landscape

I think it’s fair to say that the pub industry is presently experiencing turbulent waters. Latest figures suggest that 18 pubs a week in the UK are calling last orders. So, how refreshing to report that Rawtenstall brewer, Northern Whisper, has recently opened a new drinking and social destination in Colne.

Award-winning publicans take on new challenge in Harle Syke

THERE are many hardworking pub landlord and landlady teams across the locality. And one of the most popular and successful pairings in the East Lancashire pub trade, bade a fond farewell after six and a half years at the Hare and Hounds, Padiham last week.