News
- Rogue Brewery Closes
Saturday 15 November 2025
The iconic Rogue Brewery of Newport, Oregon, one of the main drivers of the American craft beer revolution, announced the closure of its brewery and all its pubs on 15 November. The closure was abrupt, but trouble had been brewing for some time and it recently shut down its distilling operation. Reports suggested that the company had significant rent and tax arrears. It was not clear if this marks the end for Rogue. Rogue was founded in Ashland, Oregon in 1988, but quickly relocated to Newport. It was America's 50th largest craft brewery by volume in 2024. WASHINGTON BEER BLOG
- Champion Beer of Britain Results
Monday 1 September 2025
The Champion Beer of Britain competition concluded at the Great British Beer Festival held at the NEC in Birmingham in August. The Champion Beer of Britain, selected from a series of blind tastings, was Penzance Mild, 3.6% ABV. Described as having chocolate and sweet cocoa on the nose and chocolate, sultanas and dry roast on the palate, where the gentle sweetness is balanced by a roasty, dry bitterness. It packs a lot of flavour into a 3.6% beer. Runner up was Sarah Hughes Snowflake, an 8% ABV barley wine and third was Church End Fallen Angel, 5% ABV, a rich pale ale with honey notes. CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE
- Co-founder Martin Dickie Steps Down at Brewdog
Monday 1 September 2025
Martin Dickie, co-founder of Brewdog and largely responsible for the development of Jaipur when working at Thornbridge, has stepped down from the company citing personal reasons. Dickie founded the company with friend James Watt in 2007 and from very small beginnings allied to an aggressive marketing campaign influenced by that of Stone Brewing in the USA, they grew at a rapid rate to become the global behemoth they are today. Their deliberately controversial promotional stunts enthused many but alienated others. Watt, never far from controversy himself, stepped down from his role in Brewdog in 2024, although he remains as a board member. Dickie preferred to largely remain in the background helping to develop the company's products including a distilling arm which brewed Lone Wolf gin among others. He has now left brewing altogether and has started a new business producing licensed medical cannabis. Based on news features in the MORNING ADVERTISER
- Boddingtons to Make a Comeback
Monday 28 July 2025
Boddingtons cask beer, the legendary "Cream of Manchester", is set to return to pubs across the North West. It is being brewed and distributed by Manchester brewer JW Lees under licence from brand owner the Budweiser Brewing Group. First brewed in 1778, this beer became a symbol of Manchester's spirit and Northern pride. It disappeared from cask handpumps in 2012. With a new 4% ABV recipe, Boddingtons is due to reappear in pubs across the North West in December. Brian Perkins, president of AB InBev in Western Europe said: "We're excited to relaunch Boddingtons Cask Ale in partnership with JW Lees, combining one of the UK's most iconic beer brands with one of its most respected brewers". BEER TODAY