Remember those drink miles, too
AS many people in business will tell you, the world is becoming a smaller place.
We now take it for granted that fruit and vegetables are transported thousands of miles around the planet to create "perpetual seasons".
March used to be one of the most difficult months for produce since many winter varieties are coming to an end, while spring crops are not ready for harvest.
If you visit any supermarket now, you will be blissfully unaware of this seasonality.
While much attention is focused on food, surprisingly little attention is given to alcoholic drinks.
Yet huge quantities of these are transported around the globe daily and what would once have been celebrated as local tipples are now available worldwide.
Imagine my astonishment a few years ago when, in a remote village in the Andes, I came across an Irish pub selling draught Guinness!
I'm not sure if the black stuff was brewed locally, or imported, but I can tell you that it didn't taste as good as it would have in Ireland.
It is fair to say that in recent years there is a great deal more choice of beer available in pubs, off-licences and supermarkets.
The days of asking for a pint of bitter or a pint of lager are gone, although the choices are not necessarily that distinct from one another because of merging of smaller breweries.
Yet there is considerable interest in artisan brewing, and beer festivals and farmers' markets have helped promote local beers considerably.
The brewing business is still precarious with overheads very high, competition very fierce and the market still seen as a bit of a niche.
If you would like to know more about Sussex breweries, the best site I have come across is www.sussexpub.co.uk/listing.php?cat=7 , which provides details of the companies involved and the places you can obtain their products.
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Weather for Worthing
Tuesday 14 February 2012
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