LifestyleGrape expectations for cognacFads and fashions have affected many different drinks over the years, but few have been as hard-hit by changing tastes as brandy.01 Jul 10:00 PM
LifestylePub spy: Empire TavernIt's always good to drink in a place with a little bit of history around it.01 Jul 12:00 AM
Opinion<i>Don Kavanagh</i>: Did you myth me?Most of the tall tales told over a chilled glass are no more than romantic fancies. By Don Kavanagh.27 Jun 09:30 PM
LifestyleSo, how do you like them applesDon Kavanagh is the editor of <i>Thirst</i> magazine.24 Jun 10:00 PM
New ZealandThe great World Cup beer swindleBeer prices have gone up and glass size has gone down, less than 80 days out from the Rugby World Cup. Close to 100 bars nationwide now have smaller 400ml glasses as a replacement for their 425ml Heineken tap beer glasses...24 Jun 05:30 PM
LifestylePub spy: Galbraith's AlehouseWe're not worthy I'd better get Galbraith's out of the way early.23 Jun 05:30 PM
Opinion<i>Don Kavanagh</i>: Open all hoursMandatory closing times is not necessarily the answer to society's drinking problems, says Don Kavanagh.20 Jun 09:30 PM
LifestyleRe-thinking a summer favouriteI had an interesting morning recently, one of those days you think is going to be dishwater-dull, but turns into something much more exciting.18 Jun 10:00 PM
LifestyleFour of the best: Country pubsThis meticulously renovated 1876 pub attracts the crowds - some arriving by boat to tie up at the jetty.17 Jun 05:30 PM
LifestylePub spy: Cardrona Speight's Ale HouseThere is something simultaneously endearing and depressing about the Speights Southern Man schtick.17 Jun 12:00 AM
Opinion<i>Don Kavanagh</i>: The cup that cannot be namedThe World Cup is more about the after-match function says Don Kavanagh.14 Jun 05:30 PM
LifestyleIn the spirit of friendly rivalryI have a friend, you'll be surprised to hear, who likes a drink.05 Jun 10:00 PM
LifestylePub season opens againNow that the weather has packed in, it's time to think of indoor pursuits rather than simply lazing the day away in the garden or at the beach.28 May 02:00 AM
LifestyleAll sweetness and lightLiqueurs are the sort of thing that tend to hang about in the back of the cupboard forever.20 May 10:00 PM
LifestyleDrinking out: Raise your glassA good watering hole is never far away in Sydney. Here we pick some of our favourites.19 May 10:00 PM
Opinion<i>Nick Smith</i>: Beware the Puritans at the gateWatch out: Once the killjoys have nailed all the smokers, drinkers will be next.12 May 09:30 PM
LifestyleJoining in the pro-sessionThere is nothing I like more than a decent session.07 May 10:00 PM
LifestyleBanishing the ghosts of yesteryearWe've all got one. In each of our psyches there lies an awful memory indelibly associated with a drink. This memory has prevented us from ever going near that drink again and even the smell of it is enough to send us fleeing from the room.30 Apr 10:00 PM
LifestyleA woman's work is never doneBrewing. It's a typically blokey thing: it involves a combination of light engineering and biochemistry, involves using tools and the end product is beer, so it's understandable it tends to be associated with men.23 Apr 10:00 PM
LifestyleLarge measures of small tragediesOf all the small tragedies that followed the big one in Christchurch, perhaps one of the most keenly felt losses for the hospitality trade was the cancellation of Dramfest.15 Apr 10:00 PM
LifestyleThe great lost grapeI was at a tasting recently when someone stood to ask me a question. In fact, she wanted to ask me three questions, but being the economical type of guy I am, I managed to give her just one answer.09 Apr 10:00 PM
LifestyleAussie scientists develop beer for space touristsWhen you've paid $200,000 for a seat on a galactic flight, the last thing you want is to be served a dud beer.07 Apr 10:14 PM
LifestyleBlack is black - or is it?There's a perception that beer is colour-coded for easy reference, and to a certain extent it is.02 Apr 10:00 PM
LifestyleRoyal wedding will be tying the knot with NZ hopsA New Zealand brewery is toasting its success after its hops were chosen for a beer being brewed in honour of the royal wedding.31 Mar 04:30 PM
LifestyleOne tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floorThey say there are two constants in life, but really there are three: death, taxes and the fact that everyone has had a bad experience with tequila at some stage.25 Mar 04:30 PM
LifestyleThe Americans are comingThere was a time when American beer was a byword for tasteless, watery, bland rubbish. How things have changed.19 Mar 09:00 PM
New ZealandBeer hops off buyers' listsKiwis appear to be calling time on their love affair with beer, partly because of spiralling living costs.19 Mar 04:30 PM
New Zealand$4m brewery makeover for West Coast breweryGreymouth finally has something to smile about after news its 143-year-old Monteith's brewery will get a multi-million dollar makeover.15 Mar 11:45 PM
