There is nothing I like more than a decent session.

We'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.

Brewing. 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.

Of 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.

I 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.

When you've paid $200,000 for a seat on a galactic flight, the last thing you want is to be served a dud beer.

There's a perception that beer is colour-coded for easy reference, and to a certain extent it is.

There was a time when American beer was a byword for tasteless, watery, bland rubbish. How things have changed.

Kiwis appear to be calling time on their love affair with beer, partly because of spiralling living costs.

Greymouth finally has something to smile about after news its 143-year-old Monteith's brewery will get a multi-million dollar makeover.

The "Bollix" has built its reputation on featuring the best in homegrown and international rock, pop, celtic, folk and blues talent.

I looked at the calendar the other day and was shocked to see that it's almost St Patrick's Day.

There's a lot more choice when it comes to quenching your beer thirst these days.

It never ceases to amaze me how much better beer is becoming in New Zealand.

Tavern owner tells MPs change is needed to stop price-cutting

Liqueurs - even the name sounds thick, rich and sweet. But are they glutinous, fruit-based sugar syrups, or is there something a bit more to them? Well, of course there is.

It used to be deeply naff, drunk only by teens and maybe your nana; so how did cider get its fizz back to be the drink of the summer, asks Nicky Pellegrino.

The more breweries I visit the more I realise just how good New Zealand beers have become over the years.

I managed to spend some time on Waiheke Island over the break, soaking up the sun and catching up with friends.

Don is the editor of Thirst magazine.