Charlotte Johnson – Page 31 – Manchester Historian

The Didsbury Beer Festival was a three-day event, celebrating the beers, ales, perries and ciders from independent breweries throughout Britain. Returning for its fifth year the Festival has expanded both in capacity and the range of drinks on offer. It was hosted by St Catherine’s Social Club, which also provided a wide range of music Continue Reading

Exhibition at the People’s History Museum, 30 June 2012 — 24 February 2013

Classically, gin should be served with cubes of ice, a wedge of lime and tonic water. But where do the tonic and lime come from? Tonic contains quinine which has antimalarial properties and became an important mixer with gin for colonial British officers, initially in South Asia but also in Africa. Lime was originally added to gin to make lime juice more palatable, because it was a good countermeasure against scurvy.

Tea may well be our National drink, but there’s no denying the long-held, never-ending love the population of the UK has for Ale!…and Gin…and Vodka….and basically all spirits.

Us Brits can hardly make it through the day without a beloved brew, but WHEN and HOW did dried up leaves in water (not, perhaps, the most appetising description) become an essential requirement?