Ale & Hearty returns

Southport Camra’s news magazine has returned after a six-month break.

In charming fashion, gentleman editor Michael Hoey blames the ”world economy collapse” for the hiatus, admitting that Camra’s hopeful deal with commercial printers Gaynors has now gone sour and that the magazine has been forced to scale back its ambitions.

Without wanting to be rude, Ale & Hearty was on a hiding to nothing trying to ape Liverpool Camra’s Merseyale mag. It suits its new size.

Features like “Around the world in Ale-y-daze” may have been curtailed, but I doubt whether there will be mournful riots on the streets of Birkdale over this loss.  

Personally, I’m happier to see a slimmed down newsletter, with A. L Guzzler’s jokes intact and that dreadful column about “The Purse” gone for good.

One other matter involves a testimonial for Rednev’s REARM blog, calling it “THE local blog for information and views about real ale”.

The Southport Drinker must raise his game. This blog has not had mention in the Ale & Hearty in its whole blighted existence.