Brewers and Distillers by ProfessionBook Cover

Brewers and Distillers by Profession, the illustrated history of the Institute of Brewing and Distilling by Ray Anderson, was launched at a reception in London last night. The Institute began life in 1886 as a gathering of a handful of young scientists with a professional interest in brewing science and technology in a disreputable quarter of London. Today it is the leading organisation of its type in the world with over 4000 members.

The Author, Ray Anderson says “”Institutional biographies can be very boring to read. The recital of names and activities of luminaries long since forgotten can be tedious to all but the anorak historian. I have attempted to paint a fair picture, “warts and all”, of the Institute over the years rather than present the uncritical hagiography that has often been the custom with corporate histories. It has been my intention in writing the book to temper scholarship with humanity and perhaps even humour; to provide insight into the personalities involved within the context of the times through which they lived.”