Right, I’m jetlagged so let’s just get right into it, and I’ll keep it short.
Today’s main news is that last week I won the Guild of Food Writers Drinks Writing Award, sponsored by Champagne Drappier. I didn’t get to enjoy any fizz though: the news that I’d won reached me in the queue for US passport control.
JUDGES COMMENTED: An outstanding writer, Gladman has a knack for transportative storytelling that invites us to deep-dive into his world. He paints a picture with his words that is wonderfully immersive and makes us want to never stop reading. Entertaining, precise, rich with hilarity and most importantly, fizzing with well-researched information about his subject. Judges said, “He consistently makes me thirsty!”
I’ve shared before the stories the judges based their decision upon, so I’ll just link to that rather than laying it all out again.
Not much new writing to share at the moment (though there’s plenty in the pipeline waiting to be published). But I do have a couple of quickie tasting notes:
Finally, in case you’re wondering about that jetlag… I just got back from the USA. The Brewers Association hosted Savor, its annual craft beer and food pairing blowout, for the first time after a two-year break (you know why).
I was one a handful of journos flown in to cover the event, which has had some troubles in the past. This was the first time in a new venue. Want to know how it went? Look out for the article coming soon in Brewer & Distiller International magazine.
I’ll also be writing about D.C. area beer treats for Ferment Magazine. One that probably won’t make it in — it’s just a bit too far out into Maryland — is Manor Hill Brewing whose motto is “family-owned, farm-brewed.”
I don’t think you’ll find their beers outside of the few miles around the brewery, so really I’m telling you about it just in case you’re ever in the area. The beers are good and the taproom, in its farm setting, is a lovely place. I could happily have whiled a whole afternoon away there. Sadly all I managed was a quick in-and-out dash to grab a couple of four-packs to go. Perhaps you’ll have better luck.