Brilliant - Rated 
I really enjoyed this (and I don't drink beer and rarely visit pubs these days). It is well written, it flows well and is an easy read. It was my late night, mind relaxing read for sometime. I learnt something new with every chapter. The history, philosophy and practical information about alcohol in general are in easy "Pub Prose" that make it detailed enough to be interesting but still light enough to be entertaining. I particularly ejoyed the still making section! Be aware the language and approach of the book are exactly as you would expect if you were stood at a Pub Bar and if you are easy offended by expletives then you will struggle with this book. But I thought it was a great entertaining read. And despite being left with a strange craving for pork scratchings since reading it, it comes well recommended.
An OK read, but there's better! - Rated 
I couldn't wait to get stuck into this book, as I love reading books about beer and pubs, as its an industry I've grown up in and as such have a real interest in.
Marchants tale is an enjoyable read at first, and the first few pages flew by as I was drawn into his adventure. However, it would seem that Marchant has a deep dislike for the North and the working class, so much so that I felt he became extremely arrogrant and pretentious! Anyone who states that they love pubs as much as Marchant should understand that they are and always have been one the places people from all backgrounds and classes can be together and enjoy a good pint.
Marchant however seems to think that anyone who prefers lager to his headless ale is a 'Chav' and it seems to disgust him that he should drink with such people.
When Marchant writes about the South, he lovingly depicts each town and village he visits, yet as soon as he hits Burton (The Brewing Capital) he just slags it off, suggesting that everyone who lives there is a fat 'Chav'. And as for Leeds, a chapter I was really looking forward to reading about as its my personal stomping ground, he fills the pages with the his friends dialect about philosphy, only pausing to name the pub he's drinking in. It does not make enjoyable reading, very tedious and dull.
Although I agree with him that many city centre pubs are filled with these 'Chavs' (Not lager drinkers, but actual Chavs) I have never seen or experienced the kind of abuse that he seems to have suffered!! He tells a handful of tales where he is called a 'faggot' for no reason by the locals. Not only does this seem unprovoked and unlikely, but who even uses the word faggot?
If you want to read a real book about beer and pubs, look at the two excellent books by Pete Brown (Three sheets to the wind and Man walks into a pub) they are much more informative and you feel the author really does love beer and its history, rather than Marchant who likes what he likes and nothing else. Oh and he can't hold his drink either!!
This is a great read. - Rated
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am probably biased because I am a real ale consumer and home brewer of 40 years plus. It is laced with information-not all of which has anything to do with beer, but more about the surroundings in which he partakes of it. Having said that however, I passed the book on to one of my three sons, and he returned it with a 'not my cup of tea I'm afraid Dad'. Methinks I picked the wrong son,so before I offer it for re-sale on Amazon, I shall pass it on to the one who very much enjoys a pint or two but very rarely has the opportunity to read.
Long crawl, great read. - Rated
This is an extraordinarily well-written book treating an outwardly lighthearted subject with great wit and in great depth. Ian's month long trip from the Scillies to the Shetlands didn't cover hundreds of pubs but his account encapsulates British society. Since I bought this I've dipped into it again and again- it's an object lesson in how to be funny, thought-provoking and moving all at once.
If you wanted to send someone a book that perfectly captures modern Britain, yet celebrates some of its past this would do the trick. Beautiful photographs that wouldn't be out of place in an art gallery are the final deft touch. This deserves to be a classic.
One of the better contributions to the "humorous British travel book" genre... - Rated 
Ok...there are some irritating things about this book...like his tireless efforts to promote his own website (how many times do you have to give the address of your website, Mr. Marchant, within the actual text of the book?).
He also I believe gets the mix wrong. All travel books (especially in this genre) are a mix of revealing the private (the autobiographical reflections of the author) and the public (the people and places of the journey). In this book, although there are a few brief passages about his wife's death and his breakdown which are movingly intense - the autobiographical reflections overwhelm the journey and do not, at least for me add to the pleasure of the actual task at hand. I wanted to read a travel book first...not an autobiography of the author.
BUT...having said that...this is still definitely a recommended read for fans of the genre. There are some genuinely funny moments and it is to the credit of Ian Marchant that he does not feel obliged to cover every aspect of drinking culture in depth.
It also reads as a terrific polemic/rant with regards to modern life/attitudes to alcohol and against anything that allows him to vent his spleen at things that annoy him.
So not perfect...but then again you'll have a great ride on this journey of his if you do read this book. Turk's Head on St. Agnes....here I come!!!
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