My son used to run a pub in Buckingham and was the only licensee in the town to get a cask mark from CAMRA (The Campaign For Real Ale). Up to that time I had been a white wine drinker and then virtually teetotal for a few years.

A friend had told me about the merits of Spitfire beer and, when Andy had it in as a guest ale I tried it and was converted. It really is a wonderful beer. Since then I tend to try different beers at the pubs I go to for folk sessions and have found quite a few good beers. I have had Guiness, but, having tasted it in England and Ireland will only drink the Irish variation which is much creamier and has altogether a better taste than the English. I've found that draught beer definitely has the edge on bottled and you really need to find a landlord who looks after his beers properly - it does make a difference!