A writer and photographer obsessed with beer, pubs and their culture. Founding editor @pelliclemag.com. He/Him. More about me and my work: www.totalales.co.uk
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We'll be shouting about this a lot but yes, after a tough, stressful summer having these two things in place feels just like a huge positive. Is it feasible to run a little beer mag in these times? Who cares! We're doing it and that's what matters. I hope you keep enjoying what we publish.
And, after two years, we are finally back to being a team of four. Please give a warm welcome our new associate editor, @clairembullen.bsky.social. You might have heard of her. She's kind of a big deal.
Hey, @pelliclemag.com has two big bits of news and you know what there's no time like the present to tell you. We have a new headline sponsor, and I am delighted to say its the lovely people from @geterbrewed.bsky.social. With their support we'll be able to keep the mag going into 2026 and beyond.
You sometimes forget the ridiculously rich history of some of the UK's brewing companies. This is a delightful article by @totalcurtis.bsky.social for @pelliclemag.com about a malting company which dates back to the 17th century www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/9/...
Also saw a McDonald’s flag at half mast and reckon I’m going to be processing that image for months if not years
Just played with a band for the first time in like eight or nine years and I feel like I’ve unlocked a long forgotten part of myself except this time I can actually play the guitar
Loved this! I contacted French & Jupp a while back, trying to track down a 19th c. malt that was allegedly made there to replicate an Irish one. It was Paul himself who replied and tried to help me ...
I paid $8 for one 16oz pint
Catch up with my latest feature if you haven't already. I think it's pretty good.
Hey Rob, definitely, I’ve just renewed my own membership. But questions need to be asked and people need to take accountability if the loss is £320k as reported. That’s no flash in the pan.
And reader let me tell you, I am on edge
Nothing like a pint of *checks taplist* Pliny the Elder to take the edge off.
Speaking of malt:
PS if you enjoyed the article the full interview with Paul King on the podcast is a great listen: www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/2/...
Thank you pal!
In February 2024 I visited French & Jupps, the UKs oldest existing maltster, and roasted malt specialist. I’d never heard of them before, despite them being in operation since 1689. It’s story fascinated me, so I wrote it for @pelliclemag.com here: www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/9/...
For Pellicle, I visited the UK’s oldest maltster, French & Jupps. Which specialises entirely in crystal and ‘patent’ roasted malts. This is part history of a company dating back to 1689, part technical look at how these malts are made, and why it matters in terms of the beer we drink.
so much is bad right now but the AI stuff in particular is making me insane. a desperate attempt to smother all human creative labor at an absurd cost to the planet by some of the most short-sighted, rapacious, and pathetic people who have ever lived
Great 2 be back in the windy city (for a whole 50 minutes)
One of my favourite things about being in transit at O’Hare is how they land the plane about 10 miles from the fucking terminal.
I went to the brewery, I’ve had it many times before but it was especially nice to try it from the source
Wicked Pissah!
Yappy birthday
I went to every spot in Portland on my spreadsheet and am feeling a deep sense of gestalt right now
Thanks for listening, glad you enjoyed!
Chippy tea
🫡
I feel warm to my fingertips. My soul feels nourished. I have not felt this content in a long time.
Trying my best!
Hanging out with brewing legends at Sacred Profane in Biddeford, Maine.
I just met Todd Mott
I’m on holiday!
Just had a Bloody Mary that I reckon was about 75% vodka and I feel incredible
I had a lovely day with David Bruce while photographing him for my latest @pelliclemag.com feature. He’s some character; bursting with energy, knowledge, and anecdotes for all things beer and hospitality. Read @philmellows.bsky.social story below.
Yesterday began with me getting hopelessly overwhelmed in the Allagash parking lot and ended with oysters and a giant clam bake at Eventide Oyster Co. There was a lot of beer in between and wine at the end. I am feeling a touch worse for wear.
I was just passing through
🥲
After far too large a breakfast, I find myself at Bissell Brothers.
In 2013 I visited the other Portland, in Oregon, and when I asked for recommendations someone sent me a list for Maine instead, and I’ve wanted to visit ever since. Today I might drink an Allagash White.
Yesterday started with a midnight redeye flight from Denver to Portland via Newark and ended 20 hours later at Novare Res bier cafe, with oysters, lobster rolls and Italian pils in between.
Thanks Alan!
GOOD MORNING! Here's our regular weekly round-up of good writing about beer and pubs, with thoughts on great pubs versus good pubs; David Bruce's career; pub skittles; and the retirement of a legendary publican. 🍻🍺 boakandbailey.com/2025/09/news...
Strangers in the night…
Excellent! We are car-less and limited by time but I will drop you a line if we find the time. Mostly just having some very seafood and beer heavy quality time with my Dad!
Trooper and harvest ale on the bottle list 🥹
Thank you Carla! It’s been a long time coming, and I’m having the best time. Visiting Allagash tomorrow and I just can’t wait.
I have just taken a seat at the bar of Novare Res. I may be here some time.
🫡
The guy beat cancer two years ago so it’s fucking gold dust to me
It is my dad!
Shit’s about to get real. Frankie’s champing at the seafood-bit.
😌
Hello from Portland, Maine.
I have not but hope to one day, we published a very fine article about it on Pellicle a few years ago: www.pelliclemag.com/home/2019/11...
For a very brief moment I am in New Jersey. Forgeddaboutit!
I ordered a bourbon on the rocks and I was served a measure large enough to fell a rhino.
Sat at a bar inside Denver airport while dad and I wait for a redeye flight and I feel like I could write an entire essay about what’s happening here right now. An entire pastiche of American life over twenty barstools.
I went on a Wednesday but there was no Kolsch service 😭
Not a problem!
You’re right, of course. But given that IPAs are originally from England would you call those IPA style beers?
In fact I enjoyed it so much I went to find the man and tell him in person.
When @stanhieronymus.bsky.social tells you to go to a brewery and try the Kölsch, you must obey. So here I am at Fritz Family Brewing in Niwot, Colorado.
I managed to pop in before I left for my holiday and I was really impressed with the refit. Can see myself spending a fair amount of time here tbh. It’s a beautiful pub.
And we appreciate you for it!
Our net spend per article has been steadily increasing, and we've got a new team member joining us to help balance the increasing workload, so if you think you're getting your four quids worth every month please consider taking out a subscription!
Just doing some admin (I know how to take a holiday, right?) and noticed @pelliclemag.com's net number of subscribers dropped for the first time in about 15 months. We're still out here every day trying to make the best drinks mag we can, and I'd love it if you supported us! patreon.com/pelliclemag
The strugglers is superb
Huge thanks to @philmellows.bsky.social and @seanislegend.com for bringing this interview to life.
What I like most about this story is that this guy did the James Watt stuff while James Watt was still in nappies, but he also did it without being an absolute cunt. What a fascinating life!
The man who started craft beer? My profile of David Bruce for @pelliclemag.com (photos by Sean McEmerson): www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/8/...
I’m very happy. The last two Septembers I visited it was grey and not the Colorado I hope for.
I find myself in Loveland drinking Kölsch. I’m having a nice time.
My dad has called Fort Collins home for the past 15 years, so this is my home from home
Good morning from Colorado where the sky is in a very Ansel Adams mood.
Mancunian lager is the order of the day on our latest Pellicle Podcast as @totalcurtis.bsky.social chats to Will Evans at Manchester Union Brewery 🌾 www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/8/...
Yeah he’s done a wonderful job with the woodman!
Had some very interesting insight from J. Brearley recently
I think this guide is going to become where you can find a “good” pint of bass. It’s going into more and more outlets now, on the distribution list for M&B as I understand it, and I imagine the beer might become quite ubiquitous
Remember when I wrote that review of Manchester Union slow poured lager at the Trading Route? Well I’ve only gone and recorded a @pelliclemag.com podcast with one of its owners, Will Evans. Thanks for being a good sport, Will. Listen here: www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/8/...
Hungover? David Bailey's Just Beer Things #24 — The Hangover — Pellicle www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/8/...
We made it to The Salutation at Ham last night – a long-time wishlist pub that is a pain to get to if you don't drive. It is indeed a very good pub. You can read @lilywaite.bsky.social’s article about it here: www.pelliclemag.com/home/2022/5/...
Good time to catch up with this week’s @pelliclemag.com feature I reckon, it’s a cracker.
Man what a world. Going on holiday next week so I’ve prepped a weeks worth of content to try and stay visible. Makes me sick tbh, but also importantly provides vital gestalt so I can potentially actually relax.
OMG! I can't believe the news. Hollow Knight: Silksong releases next week!
Two years of doing comics for @pelliclemag.com 🎉 New one chats depictions of hangovers with The Hangover (2009) vs Edvard Munch's The Day After (1895) Read it here: www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/8/...
Sorry forgot this isn’t LinkedIn
Let’s vis a vis next week
On your footnotes, I’ve been working on a series of tags to make posts easier to find, it’s just a case of finding the time to get it all done.
GOOD MORNING! Here's the latest edition of news, nuggets and longreads, with quite a bit of in-the-weeds geeky stuff about science, scoring and brewery financing. 🍺🍻 boakandbailey.com/2025/08/news...
Writers, keep writing. Do not buy into the hype train telling you your job will be replaced in a few years. Those using AI are literally atrophying their brains ability to be creative. The future will need your words, your creativity, to function well. publichealthpolicyjournal.com/mit-study-fi...
Apropos of my previous post, here’s @pelliclemag.com’s latest comic drawn by real life human David Bailey. I know he exists because I’ve had a pint with him and everything. www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/8/...
Yes I am concerned about the downfall of society thank you very much.
I reposted what I thought was a funny picture yesterday, even though I knew it was generated by a LLM, so I’ve unshared it. This stuff is making our brains smooth, and I don’t wanna be a smoothbrained clanker.
My schedule hasn’t allowed for me to make it (again) sadly
Looks like a farm, be careful you don't trip.
And now I am homesick, thirsty, and plotting a homebrew version. Kudos to @pelliclemag.com for such a great piece about an iconic beer. www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/8/...
I imagine there might be a few pints
