Almost ready...

We're getting the decorators in and preparing for a relaunch party, to which you're all invited. A virtual party, of course.

In the meantime, don't forget that Blogs Of Beer still brings you some of the best beer buffoonery around on the tinterweb.

And some random hop thoughts will be appearing here throughout March for no discernible reason whatsoever... if there's anything you've always wanted to know about hops, or if you have a fantastic hop fact that you'd like to share, please do keep it to yourself. I can't be arsed to check comments until April.

Kelham Island Tavern is CAMRA Pub of the Year - Again!

Proof positive than you can't have too much of a good thing - Sheffield's Kelham Island Tavern has become the first pub to win CAMRA's National Pub of the Year award two year's running.

Julian Hough, CAMRA Pubs Director, praised the pub's "high attention to detail, service to the surrounding community, and quality in all areas, not least in the beer". I'll echo those sentiments; in a city chock full of good pubs serving great beer, the KIT still stands out. Last time I visited, I struggled to choose between guest beers from the likes of Milton and Thornbridge, though my first pint there is invariably a Pictish Brewers Gold, one of their regular offerings. They make a mean Red Leicester cob, too.

Old moaners by the bar, young bucks in the conservatory, beer lovers all the way from the front door to the rear of the sun-trap garden; the KIT attracts an eclectic crowd. My advice; if you haven't visited before then the next time you're in Sheffield, go join them.

Congrats to landlord Trevor Wraith, bar manager Lewis Gonda and all the staff. I'll be in on Friday for a swift pint. Or four...

Love is...

Raking semi-frozen moss out of the back lawn. Because I love my garden.

Walking up to the farm to buy a gammon steak for my Sunday lunch. Because I love supporting local food producers.

Making crab souffles for a Valentine's Day supper. An absolute fiddly-bastard-kitchen job. Because my wife loves them and I love my wife.

Screaming myself hoarse at England's misguided kicking game/persisting to play Dylan Hartley as hooker/still keeping too flat a back line. Because I love my rugby.

Drinking Burton Bridge Porter, Humpty Dumpty Lemon & Ginger, Fox Grizzly Beer. Because some beer is made to be loved. Because some beer is made with love. And I love drinking beer that's chock full of malt, hops and love.

"Love is a fan club with only two fans"
- Adrian Mitchell