Well, the obvious answer (alcohol) was not the conclusion reached during discussion between Robert McIntosh and myself at the London Bloggers meeting on Tuesday at Ember in Farringdon.

During the wine tasting session organised by Robert, we discussed the common themes between the wine community and the real ale and cider movements.

There is an obvious connection between real ale and real cider, demonstrated by the regular appearances of cider (and perry) at CAMRA real ale festivals.

But what is the connection between the consumers of hop and apple-based drinks, and grape-based beverages?

The majority of members of both groups tend to drink wine, beer and cider (but not at the same time normally!).

The commonality between the real ale and cider groups, and the hard core wine aficionados, seems to be spreading the availability of the ‘real thing’.

In beer and cider it involves getting into as many outlets as possible drinks produced using traditional methods and ingredients.

In the wine world it involves making easily available wines that are outside the fairly standardised range distributed through supermarkets and the off-license chains

How to prove the thesis of a common ground between these interest groups correct?

I’m more from a real ale background, whilst Robert is from a wine background. Together we’re proposing a wine/beer/cider tasting evening in the London area to bring together those who might be interested in the intersection between these currently disparate areas.

The evening could also involve matching each drink with a food dish from a range that could be produced by food bloggers.

Whether this actually happens depends on the level of interest shown beforehand.

Therefore if interested readers could leave a comment to this post we can take the idea from there.

* With apologies to James Cridland for the title of this post!

Another excellent London Bloggers gathering included wine tasting along with the usual fun and games.

Robert McIntosh gave an illuminating presentation on wine, followed by a tasting session of a range wines produced by wineries who have their own blogs.

I must admit, like a number of others, the sherry was not to my liking – all the other wines I liked with varying degrees of enthusiasm.

For various reasons, I haven’t been able to get to a London Bloggers meeting since June – it was therefore good to catch up with Alexandra and Andy.

Also met for the first time:

• Melinda – We discussed AI and whether it is fully achievable in the foreseeable future.
• Willem – We discussed stuff in general!

Sorry if I’ve missed anyone off the list (I definitely have) – but I wasn’t taking detailed notes due to the wine tasting!

I gave a presentation on WordCamp UK last night at the June meeting of London Bloggers.

The presentation [pdf] seemed to go down postively at the well attended meeting at The Coach and Horses in Soho.

Afterwards Alexandra, Andy, Tim and myself made a detailed examination of the various beverages available from behind the bar from the vantage point of the Lego-like seating outside the pub.

Braved the inclement weather last night to attend the April London Bloggers gathering.

Another good night at the West End’s glamorous Coach and Horses.

Amongst those I met were Alexandra Mitchell, Mecca Ibrahim, Andy Roberts, Tim Dickinson and event organiser Andy Bargery.

The next meeting is 27 May 2008 – I’ll be there!

Went to my first London Bloggers meeting last night.

I was a bit late, due to a previous meeting, however the get together proved to be a sociable and worthwhile event, held in the legendary Coach and Horses in Soho.

Will definitely be attending again!