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Gin auction is just the tonic

Ten bottles of Sir David Hempleman-Adams Explorers Grand Slam Gin, inspired and signed by the legendary British adventurer, are going under the auction hammer towards the end of November to help raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK. This inspirational new gin is the brainchild of Phil Kite, ocean rower and founder of the Adventurers Drinks […]

Christmas comes early

The award-winning Cornish brewery, Firebrand Brewing Company, has crafted a new variety of beer, designed specifically to toast the festive season. Silent Night Christmas Ale (4.5% ABV) will be officially launched on 1 November. As the clocks go back and the winter chill descends, this new Silent Night Amber Christmas Ale is being billed as […]

A taste sensation

At Hand Crafted Drinks Magazine we write headlines that condense the essence of the story that we’re covering and in the case of the liqueurs we have sampled from Hogg Norton, the headline just about does their products justice. We recently had the privilege of meeting the owners of Hogg Norton, a Derbyshire-based producer of […]

Outstanding beers

Whilst we never buy the beers, wines or spirits that we sample and review, we always ensure that what we write is unbiased and honest, otherwise what’s the point in our reviews? When we were sent two new fruit-flavoured beers from Haacht Brewery in Belgium, our review was very balanced and measured – it was […]

Hop to it

Sheffield-based Hop Hideout, a speciality beer shop, has relocated to Leah’s Yard, a 
Victorian Grade II* listed building on Cambridge Street in the centre of Sheffield; it originally comprised a number of small industrial workshops where the ‘little mesters’ produced high quality cutlery. The move to Leah’s Yard will enable Hop Hideout to provide even […]

Marylebone’s new eatery

Earlier this year chef Luke Ahearne launched Lita in the heart of Marylebone, London, billed as a modern Mediterranean bistro, with open fire cooking. Conceived by the team behind the Wild Tavern in collaboration with Canadian-born restaurateur, Daniel Koukarskikh, Lita was conceptualised by Luke Ahearne, formerly head chef at Corrigan’s Mayfair. Luke’s culinary journey started […]

Sensational sour beers

Founded in 2002 by home-brewers Kjetil Jikiun and Gunnar Wiig in Grimstad, Norway, the Nøgne Ø brewery has established itself as a cornerstone of the craft beer movement, as Trygve Instefjord, an independent food writer based in Norway, explains. Named after the old Norse term for “naked island” symbolising uncharted territory, Nøgne Ø embodies an […]

What’s your poison?

Fresh to market is Toxin, a new range of social media-driven drinks aimed at students and the young adult market. The new brand is a joint venture between instagram and TikTok influencer, Rufus Rice, and The East Coast Cocktail Company. When celebrities or high profile personalities launch their own products, fame will only get you […]

Brilliantly simple

The OST Tipple Top Drinks Measure (TTDM) is a remarkably simple and unique concept. The essence of the product is a 25ml measure that has been incorporated into stylish bottle tops, which have been designed to replace those supplied with bottles of spirits. David Ostick, the product designer, wanted to create something that would help […]

Handmade heaven

When asked if we wanted to sample some handmade Belgian chocolate truffles, filled with a delicious chocolate ganache and Warwickshire Gin Company’s very own gins and rums, the answer was unequivocal: ‘yes’. The stunning truffles are a collaboration between two south Warwickshire businesses – Warwickshire Gin Company and Dale’s Handmade Ltd. The gin truffles, made […]