Climate change could raise the price of beer

National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) climate scientist Dr Jim Salinger said climate change could see a decline of malting barley production in Australia and New Zealand, resulting in lower supplies and increased prices for beer. Speaking at The Institute of Brewing and Distilling convention in Auckland, he said dry areas of Australia would only get drier and water shortages will get worse. "It will provide a lot of challenges for the brewing industry" he said.

It appears the industry is listening. Russell Peel, environmental consultant for Foster's Group, said water usage in beer brewing has become more efficient over the years, but "water is going to be such [a] global concern that any water wastage is going to be seen as unacceptable," he told the conference.

Source: Coke Pub & Bar, NZ Herald 1 & 2.

Research: Ciggies, Booze and Drugs are bad for Australia

Government-funded research released by Professor David Collins of Macquarie University and Professor Helen Lapsley of the University of New South Wales has attempted to quantify the cost of recreational drug use to the country. Taking into consideration the cost of ill health, premature death, reduced productivity, crime and accidents. Apparently tobacco costs Australia $31.5 billion a year out of the $56 billion a year combined total for cigarettes, alcohol and illicit drugs.

Source: The Age

Bad bars lose hours

Melbourne City Council is considering a plan similar to Sydney's Council - where licensed venues could have their trading hours reduced if they are shown to contribute to alcohol fueled violence or community damage. A similar measure was introduced by Sydney in January of this year, when it was discovered that 12% of inner-city hotels accounted for almost 60% of all assaults on hotel premises. The plan is said to have received a positive response from Liquor Licensing Victoria and Police, and has also been tentatively supported by the Australian Hotel Association (AHA).

A council submission of the plans to State Government is expected in November.

Source: The Age

Alan Jones: Adults are the real binge drinkers

Alan Jones has returned to the microphone for a diatribe on youth binge drinking. He claims (with the use of statistics from various sources) that as a nation we are drinking less, and the only large groups of daily drinkers are in older age groups. "And if we're going to talk about problem drinkers, we might have to accept that like many things, it's the adults, not the kids who are leading the way."

Source: Live News

Madonna and Prince Charles are trying to save the Pub

Both celebrities are trying to do their bit to save the old English pub from extinction - which are reported at closing at the rate of 27 a week. Prince Charles has been promoting village pubs with the campaign "Pub is the Hub", trying to encouraging communities, licensees and the owners of local pubs to work together to help "retain and enhance" rural pubs. While Madonna and Guy Ritchie have taken matters into their own hands, purchasing The Punch Bowl pub in London's Mayfair district.

Source: International Herald Tribune

The suburb that spends the most on alcohol is...

According to the Herald Sun, research released by Salmat and RDA Research puts postcode 3115, Wonga Park, as the suburb that spends the most on alcohol. While Docklands (3008) managed to score second place on booze purchases. Further detail showed the biggest wine spenders were Canterbury, Brighton and Docklands whilst the biggest spender on cigarettes was Frankston North.

Let the stereotyping begin...

Source: Herald Sun

New Pub: New York Tavern

MelbournePubs.com have just added the New York Tavern, near the south tower of the Rialto (corner of King and Collins Streets). You can find out more about them at their website, NewYorkTavern.com.au.

£7 an hour for drinking buddy

A son who worried that his 88 year-old father might be getting lonely has posted a job offer in the local post office - earn £7 an hour to be a drinking companion for his father.

Michael Hammond, the son, said "It's a bit difficult at [his] age to go out to a pub on his own. He is hoping to find a gentleman who is not too bombastic and enjoys a nice pint."

The perfect candidate would be a man who can talk about engineering and golf.

Source: BBC

New Bar: Willow

Clem Bastow has reviewed the new Willow bar, which was formerly North Bazaar and Terra Firma before that, for Epicure.

"A sunny disposition and an utter lack of pretension is one of the nicest things about Willow." Read the full review.

New Review: Seamstress

Michael Harden has reviewed Seamstress for The Age's Epicure.

"There is plenty to love about the top floor of this former undergarment factory and clothing sweatshop." Read the full review.