Inspiration and synergy

There were many reasons for me starting this blog. Finding an audience for Barclay Perkins monologues. Keeping track of my research. Showing off. Hoping to inspire others.

What had struck me about beer writing was the minute amount of original research being done compared to the volume of words generated. Not good. My own little forays into the archives had revealed how much primary source information was lying there unused. Guesswork, assumptions and fairy tales were being used instead of cold, hard facts.

I tried to collect details of 19th and early 20th century beers from published sources for five years or more. You should see the pathetic little list I assembled. Fewer than 100 entries. Half a dozen archive visits has increased that by four thousand. That's what I call progress. But it begs the question: with so little material available, what the hell were writers using as sources for their books on beer styles?

I was delighted when Beer Nut told me of a project to document Ireland's vanished breweries. It's a much neglected topic. Unless there's a whole load I've missed. He asked if I could suggest any sources. I can't claim to have been the inspiration, but I'm happy to share my research experience.

To that end, I did a quick web search for Irish trade directories. A great source of brewery names and addresses. Some are available on CD from a web shop at fairly reasonable prices. The same site also offers something that set my heart racing: Barnard's "Noted Breweries of Britain and Ireland". I've wanted to get my hands on a copy for ages. Unfortunately, it's rare and expensive. Twenty-odd euros for a CD version is a bargain. I've already put in my order.

Inspiration is a two-way street. Synergy. Without Beer Nut, I may not have found the Barnard. A book with which I'm sure I'll be boring you for months to come. Another triumph for blogging. Thanks Beer Nut.