Spitting on the head of Britain's national drink

I'll assume you've heard that beer is not allowed at The Royal Wedding™, yes? It was pissing me off more and more, and I was feeling more and more Paine at the very thought...when I saw this. Pete pretty much nails it, so go read. And no, I won't be watching a single second of The Royal Wedding™ unless some evil jackass puts a gun to my head and puts me through some reverse Ludovico technique...I'll be at a beer festival (TAP New York, to be precise), so watching the little bluebloods formalize their fornicating would be inappropriate.

Mr. Pinty and friends

Mr. Pinty and friends (he's the sad one) protest the huge UK beer tax increases (with further yearly increases written into law already) that are at least partly responsible for so many British pub closings.

No, really, that's what this is. I just love it every time someone says "Mister Pinty" with a straight face. Could they please say "Mister Pinty the Walking Glass o' Beer" next time?

English hop harvest not good?

A very wet August in the English hop-growing areas (which are pretty damned small these days) is apparently leading to a small harvest, according to Gerard Lemmens, renowned (and retired) hops expert. Not the kind of news small brewers -- particularly Brit hops-loving east coast small brewers -- were hoping to hear.