I’ve been inspired by Mark Dredge’s post on Pencil & Spoon, Why I Write a Beer Blog, to do something I’ve been contemplating for a while and that I hope will become a regular occurrence (time allowing).

Mark pointed out that one of the main reasons he writes his beer blog (and it’s a bloody good beer blog, too, I highly recommend it) is: “Beer means a lot to me, sharing it with people means more; this blog is about sharing.” That really struck a chord. Sharing really is important. Sharing enthusiasim for beer, sharing tips on great beer, sharing good news about beer and brewing. Sharing the love!

Before I badgered Ed, Joe and, a bit later on, Tim into joining me on this beer blog venture, I spent years perusing the science fiction / fantasy / horror sector of the blogosphere (and indeed, I still do). There’s a venerable institution that almost everyone in sf/f/h blogging indulges in to some extent, but it’s one that I’ve not really noticed all that much in the beer blogs: the link round-up.

They’re easy to do and a great way of sharing interesting material that other folks have taken the time and effort to write. So here’s the first of my ‘Around the Beerblogosphere’ posts: a round up of the pieces and conversation-starters that have caught my eye in the past couple of weeks. Hopefully, time allowing, there will be more to come in due course and on a regular basis.

Pete Brown (@petebrownbeer, author of Hops and Glory, has had a busy couple of weeks, what with the launch of the third annual Cask Report. He’s also been running the numbers on the hypocrisy (or just plain ignorance) of neo-prohibitionists. And yet, he still finds time to pass judgement on the FA over the Internet-only coverage of this Saturday’s Ukraine vs England match. Quite right he is, too.

The Publican‘s Daniel Pearce interviewed Pete Brown and others at the launch of the aforementioned Cask Report.

The Beer Justice has been sampling the new range of M&S own-label beers. Sounds like there are some interesting variants in there. I’ll be keeping my eye out for those, then.

Barry M (@BarMas) has been sampling a trio of beers from Hopdaemon (something I’m hoping to be able to do myself before too long…)

And over at IrishCraftBrewer.com, Barry has also posted the results of some rather fascinating research into the lost breweries of Ireland.

Zythophile’s blog was one of the first I started reading when I started beer blogging. He’s back after a lengthy absence, with news of a publishing deal for his book on the history of British beer styles. One for the Amazon wish-list, definitely.

I’m a big fan of Rob and Kim’s Beer Lens blog and loved this impressive shot of a
93 pump bar at an Atlanta Taco Mac restaurant. And just looking at these pints of Sly Fox O’Reilly’s Stout makes you thirsty as hell, doesn’t it..?

And finally… online retailer Beermerchants.com has put together a fantastic-looking Best of British mixed case packed with an elite selection of beers from Gadds, Lovibonds, Moor and Thornbridge. Must resist! Beer cupboard… already… completely… full…

That’s it for now. As I say, more to come, as and when I find the inspiration.