| BEER |
Boddingtons
www.boddingtons.com |
 |
| The
Boddingtons TV ads, featuring the cartoon cow with his swinging udders,
have caused a bit of controversy. So if you think those ads were a bit
too rude stay clear of this site because it's all about the Graham (the
cow) and Claudia (the foxy chick) characters. Join Graham and Claudia
in
their interactive pad where Graham will show you five things he can do
with his udders (yes I know only lady cows have udders but this seems
to
have escaped Boddingtons' attention). The site is as suggestive as the
TV ad campaign but it does make good use of web animation and those
that
yearn for the good old days can download the old Boddingtons' ads from
the site. |
Bass
Museum
www.bass-museum.com |
|
| The
Bass Museum is based in Burton Upon Trent but those not located near
the
Midlands brewery can still experience some of the centre's flavour
through
its informative website. Many of the museum's exhibits have been
digitised
and put online, and it's an excellent resource for anyone interested in
the history of brewing.There are even webcams centred on key
attractions,
so if you can't make it yourself you can still see everyone else
enjoying
themselves. |
Smoothly
Does It
www.smoothlydoesit.co.uk |
|
| Smoothly
Does It is the home of Tetley's beers. And since the beverage is the
official
beer of the England rugby team you won't be too surprised to hear that
a distinct rugby theme permeates this site. The latest rugby news is
constantly
fed through on a ticker on the opening page, rugby yarns are told in
the
Pub area of the site and you can even download a rugby screensaver or
play
a bit of rugger online. Of course you also get a bit of Tetley's
history
- apparently 15 pints of Tetley's Bitter are sold every second during
opening
hours! |
Carlsberg
www.carlsberg.co.uk |
|
| The
Tetley's site has gone mad for rugby but Carlsberg sticks with
football.
Of course the lager is the official beer of Euro 2000 and the England
team
so a football theme makes sense. The latest footie scores and news are
piped across the opening page and you can master some of the smartest
moves
from the experts in the Boot Room section of the site. Music also
features
big on the Carlsberg site with top 40 listings from the various dance,
rock and pop charts. |
Beer
Travelers' Guide
www.beertravelers.com |
|
| This
guide points you in the direction of the best brewpubs, bars and
restaurants
serving great beer. The site is based on the US so much of the content
covers US pubs and bars. There's an interesting feature on what makes a
great Irish pub - and there are many of them in the US. The site is
also
strong on its coverage of the wide selection of microbreweries that
have
sprung up around the US. |
Beer.com
www.beer.com |
|
| Beer.com
is a lifestyle site built around the concept of beer. The information
on
there is picked for its appeal to a laddish audience and includes the
latest
sports scores and entertainment news. As far as beer-related content a
specific beer is picked as beer of the month and covered in detail,
there's
also a comprehensive guide to beers around the world. You can take part
in a virtual tour of a brewery and check out webcams based in bars
scattered
around the world. But the ultimate lad's accessory has to be the
@beer.com
email address, which you can sign up for on the site. |
The
Real Beer Page
www.realbeer.com |
|
| This
site gives you the low-down on everything beer related; from
microbreweries
though to home brewing taking in the latest news on beef festivals
around
the world along the way. The retro styling of the site works well but
it
has to be said much of the content is US focused. So if you're planning
a trip to the States and you want to drop in on some great pubs while
you're
there then let this site be your online guide. There are 18 detailed
City
guides, which list great breweries and pubs around the States. The
background
information on brewing, the beer library and the links to other beer
sites
on the web will be popular with everybody though. |
|
CLUBS/
PUBS |
The
Good Pub Guide
www.goodpubs.co.uk |
|
| The
website is based on the content of the best selling book, The Good Pub
Guide. Join the Visitors Club and you'll get access to the directory of
good pubs around the UK. To search through the pub directory you just
choose
your region and make a few choices on the type of pub you want to visit
and the Guide pulls up all the relevant pubs in your area. The
descriptions
of each pub are detailed and you get a real feel for the atmosphere of
the various inns. If you like nothing better than hanging around in
pubs
then you might want to check out the online tour itinerary suggestions
for the pubs of the Lake District and the Cotswolds. |
Ministry
of Sound
www.ministryofsound.co.uk |
|
Having
grown from a humble nightclub into a global empire, Ministry of Sound
has
branched out onto the web in a big way. This busy site features the
latest
dance music news and features but that's just the tip of the
iceberg.
A streaming
radio station pumps
out banging tunes 24 hours a day, while Ministry TV utilises Realplayer
technology to deliver video interviews with some of the biggest DJs in
the world. |
Clubber
www.clubber.co.uk |
|
| This
good looking site is packed with information on what's happening in UK
clubland. DJs and regular club goers will be impressed by the
interviews
with key figures from the UK club scene and the reviews of the latest
DJ
music releases. Interactive features are popular on the site; you'll
find
plenty of live audio and video broadcasts direct from the top clubs and
a busy chat area. |
Time
Out Pub and Club Listings
www.timeout.com |
|
| If you
want honest reviews of the pubs and clubs around London then you can't
do better than the Time Out website. You can trust what these guys say
and the write-ups are full of fascinating facts such as this entry for
the Lamb and Flag pub in Covent Garden "in the seventeenth century,
Dryden
was beaten up here - now it's one of the only decent pubs in Covent
Garden".
If you're after a big night out check out the club guide; which covers
comedy clubs and nightclubs around the capital. |
Traditional
and historic London pubs
www.pubs.com |
|
| Explore
the history of London through its historic pubs and taverns - book at
least
a week of work first though because this site lists 85 of the best
historic
pubs in London. You'll find independent reviews of the pubs as well as
a bit of historical background on the building. You can also find out
what
kind of food is served and how much it's likely to cost. You can search
through the directory of historic London pubs by postal district or, if
you're off on a day out, you can pull out all those pubs near a
specific
tourist attraction. |
Pubworld
www.pubworld.co.uk |
|
| Pubworld
is a directory of recommended pubs around the UK. You search through
the
directory either by region or by type of pub. The listings for the pubs
are short and you don't get much of an idea of the atmosphere inside;
for
more detailed information you should check out the Featured Pubs
section
of the site. While you're there why not visit the Pubworld Virtual Bar
where you can email a virtual drink and message to a mate, take part in
an online pub quiz or have a chat in the Pub Talk area of the site. |
Cream
www.cream.co.uk |
|
| The
coolest Liverpool club to be seen in at the moment has to be Cream -
it's
the Northern home of big name DJs such as Judge Jules and Sasha. As
you'd
expect from such a fashionable club the website too is almost painfully
hip with its shades of cream and taupe. Still it's worth a visit for
the
active discussion forums on topics such as clubs in Ibiza and the best
clubs around the UK. Of course there's the compulsory club
merchandising
area where you can order goodies online. |
Real
Ale Guide
www.real-ale-guide.co.uk |
|
| This
site is home to an online directory of what the Real Ale guys call
'proper'
British pubs. By 'proper' they mean pubs that serve quality Real Ales.
The pubs listed focus on the Home Counties area and you can search by
county
to find a Real Ale pub local to you. The honesty of the pub reviews is
refreshing and the detailed information for each tavern also includes a
round-up of the food and entertainment offered by the pub. As well as
the
searchable database of Real Ale pubs you'll also find news on the
latest
beer festivals and new brews. |
|
| COCTAILS |
Bacardi
www.bacardi.com |
|
| The
official Bacardi website is so laden down with graphics that it is a
bit
slow - but persevere it is worth the wait. The rum that has been 'aged
with passion since 1862' can be mixed in a variety of cocktails and
you'll
find a few of the best cocktail selections on the site. If you're a fan
of the Bacardi ads check out the online videos and the live webcasts
from
Bacardi sponsored events can always turn up a few surprises. Rather
bizarrely
you also get a guide to hosting a Bacardi party - choose from a
seventies
or a salsa themed event. |
Tequila.com
www.tequila.com |
|
Tequila
is one of those drinks that has a bad reputation courtesy of the
slammer,
a shot of alcohol downed with a far from pleasant combination of salt
and
lemon. As this site aims to show though, there's more ways to enjoy a
tequila
than just violently chucking it down your throat.
This is an
amateur site but
it features a lot of useful information. It goes through the history of
the drink and how it is distilled, and there is a cocktail bar where
you
can find some new drinks to create. |
Cocktail
hotwired.lycos.com/cocktail |
|
| Get
your weekly dose of cocktails from this excellent Lycos service.
Cocktail
has been going for some time now and so there's a substantial archive
of
cocktail recipes to explore on the site. For each cocktail you get an
interesting
explanation of the history of the drink as well as the all-important
instructions
on how to make the deadly brew. Your cocktail mixer is the Alchemist
and
he's there with a few hints and tips and a bit of bar room blarney. And
if you're looking for inspiration on what cocktail to make just type in
the names of the spirits you'd like to include in the Virtual Blender
and
see what recipes the site comes up with. |
Absolut
Collectors
www.absolutcollectors.com |
|
| It
might sound a bit strange but apparently there's a thriving in trade in
collecting Absolut (the much sought after brand of Vodka) magazine
advertisements
and this site is devoted to that rather bizarre hobby. Find out what
all
the fuss is about by perusing the online gallery of stylish Absolut
ads.
If a specific ad takes your fancy click on it to get more information
on
where the ad appeared. Collectors use the forum to trade advertisements
and quite a bustling online community has been built around the site. |
The
Famous Grouse
www.famousgrouse.com |
|
| This
home of Scottish whisky recreates a village feel. You navigate the site
by visiting various areas of the virtual Famous Grouse Estate - you can
take a trip down to the local pub, hit the village shop or visit the
post
office. The content covers more than a history of the whisky, you can
find
out why Scotland really is best and check out a useful online guide
book
for Scotland. Of course there's the inevitable celebration of Famous
Grouse
ad campaigns and in the Village Shop you can order your bottles of
whisky
direct from the site. |
Jack
Daniel's
www.jackdaniels.com |
|
| Favourite
tipple of rock stars everywhere, no collection of spirits is complete
without
a bottle of old JD. This site draws you into the history of the sour
mash
whiskey, with an interactive tour of home town Lynchburg and a
fascinating
tour of the distillery. Alcohol nuts can compare and contrast with the
information back at the Famous Grouse site (see above). |
Smirnoff
Vodka
www.smirnoff.com |
|
| The
Smirnoff site looks fabulously lush with its deep red coloured
backgrounds.
The content starts well with the Cocktail Generator where you can take
your pick from 365 Smirnoff-themed drinkies. Planet Smirnoff is quite
an
appealing place to hang out, you can send Smirnoff themed virtual
postcards
to your mates, check out Smirnoff sponsored events, salivate over the
drink
of the day or enter competitions to win Smirnoff goodies. |
|
| WINES |
BORDEAUX
MANAGED WINE INVESTMENT PLAN
www.informedinvestor.ic24.net/bmwip.htm |
|
| This
unique site offers investors the chance to invest in the world's most
famous
chateaux wines in the Bordeaux area. The investment team includes the
authority
on Bordeaux Wines, David Peppercorn. What is more investment profits in
the UK are tax-free |
The
Language of The Label
www.informedinvestor.ic24.net/page6 |
|
| Did
you ever wish to know how to really read what is written on a wine
label?
This potted background on French Wines tells you about the label and
the
history of the most famous wines. |
Daily
Wine Review
www.dailywine.com |
|
| This
excellent site is updated daily with the Wine of the Day. The wines are
reviewed in down to earth fashion, which won't put off those new to
wine
tasting. The Wine of the Day archive is now comprehensive and you can
search
through looking for that perfect wine to go with dinner. The site isn't
overloaded with content but when it comes to searchable archives of
quality
wines you won't do much better than the Daily Wine selection. |
Wine
Lovers' Page
www.wine-lovers-page.com |
|
| A love
of wine is what this page promises, and it does deliver. It has lots of
articles on tasting and choosing, but also invites reader interaction,
with discussions on all sorts of different wine related subjects.The
layout
can be a little confusing, but this site really radiates a sense of
love
for its subject. There's lots to explore and, who knows, you might even
meet some like-minded friends through the chat forums. |
The
Grapevine Weekly
www.grapevineweekly.com |
|
| This
online magazine is a great resource. The site pulls together articles
from
the major online wine guides including Wine News (concentrates on
Australian
wine), WineToday (California's wine news service) and The Quarterly
PocketList
(a guide to the world's top rated wines). The wine news service is
updated
regularly and this is backed up by lengthy articles and wine buying
tips.
This is the wine lover's guide to online wineries, wine magazines, wine
travel information and wine reviews. |
Chateau
Online
www.chateauonline.co.uk |
|
| If you're
after a special bottle of wine then you'll find it on the classy
Chateau
Online website. Wine expert Jean-Michel Deluc scours the world picking
out the best wines all of which are available to buy direct from the
site.
Jean-Michel also has lots of useful advice on what wine to serve with
food,
the backgrounds on the major wine growing regions and a guide to
setting
up your own wine cell |
Wine
Spectator Online
www.winespectator.com |
|
| The
Wine Spectator site reckons it's the 'most comprehensive wine web site
in the world'. It is a stylish site packed full of content that will
interest
enthusiastic amateurs and wine pros. The site is home to lots of
background
information that you won't find elsewhere, including a report on the
1999
harvest. The pages are updated daily with the latest wine news and a
wine
of the day selection. The database of wine reviews can only be
described
as exhaustive - over 83,000 wines are listed and rated. Embryonic web
buffs
should start with the Wine Basics section of the site, eventually you
can
work your way up to having a go at the online game designed to test
your
wine knowledge. |
Smart
Wine Online
www.smartwine.com |
|
Smart
Wine is an online resource for both wine consumers and those involved
in
the wine trade. For consumers there's a handy database of wine reviews
including reader reviews of vintage wines. It's also worth signing up
for
a free Personal Wine Advisor for free if you need a few tips on which
wines
to try out. The Smart Wine reviewing procedure is exhaustive, so when
it
comes to picking the best of the crop you can be sure to trust their
selection.
Wine
professionals will appreciate
the wine news service and the more detailed articles on the industry's
movers and shakers. |
Welcome
to Bordeaux
www.bordeaux.com |
|
| This
online guide tells you everything you need to know about visiting the
renowned
French wine growing region of Bordeux. You can take a virtual tour of
the
area, picking up background information on the various vineyards along
the way. If you reckon you're a bit of a Bordeaux buff then try your
hand
at the wine quizzes. If a trip to France is not on your itinerary this
year then you can still get a taste of Bordeaux by reading the section
of the site devoted to choosing the perfect Bordeaux wine. |
Winesearcher.com
www.winesearcher.com |
|
| If you've
been searching for that elusive vintage wine for years then you might
just
track it down using the Winesearcher site. Winesearcher scours the
stock
of over 232 wine merchants around the world and that means you're
searching
through a list of over 100, 000 wines. You just type in the name of the
wine you're after and the vintage and let Winesearcher do the donkey
work
for you. The search results include a link to the appropriate wine
merchant
and pricing information. |
|
|
The
Informed Investor 
