Food glorious food!

My headings are getting more Dickensian the closer we get to Christmas. Apologies for that. It is just that Fiona and Will Beckett have brought out a book called An Appetite For Ale. This is the first book to comprehensively explore beer as an accompaniment to modern British food. Recipes and pairings address everything from cheese to chocolate to spicy food.

I have been a little dubious about the whole beer with food movement. However, I was convinced by A Young Lady at the Stockholm Beer Festival who introduced me to dark chocolate and stout. Try it. It is fantastic! So before we enter a period of traditionally serious feasting, have a think about beer with your grub rather than (or as well as!) wine.

Mr Bumble (in a stern manner): 'MORE! You want MORE!'