How to Turn Wine into Silver

Another year has passed and so begins 2015.
It is at this time of year that we consider what we might be able to do to improve our minds, bodies and souls.
After the excesses of the holiday season, even those of us who don't make resolutions will probably err on the side of caution for the next few weeks.

Image via

The trend for Dry January seems to attract more participants every year. Though I don’t actively make it my resolution to give up the drink in January, I do find the desire to snuggle up in my pyjamas is greater than any trip to the pub might be.

Beer Flood of London

200 years ago today, on the 17th October 1814, a freakish and bizarre event occurred. Right here in the heart of London, in the parish of St Giles, the Horse Shoe Brewery (Muex and Company) on Tottenham Court Road had a disastrous accident.

Due to structural failure one of the huge vats containing 135,000 gallons of beer ruptured. The vat burst with such force it caused other vats in the brewery to erupt as well and, as a result, more than 323,000 gallons washed onto the streets.

An artist's impression of the incident.