This is a follow on post from something I read over at The Good Stuff this morning, in it Leigh discusses the history, highs and lows of beer on TV. It’s well worth a read and has some great links to old clips of shows (check it here) but ultimately asks what do we want from a beer show on TV?
This post actually started as a comment in reply to Leigh, but I wittered on that long I thought it may as well be a post on here in support of the cause.. You should though really read the original first to put this into context, so go on, do it, do it now, here’s that link again, I’ll hang on here for five and go and make a cuppa….
“A short time passes”
It’s an interesting point on how to present this, I quite liked the laddish charms of the Oz and James etc shows as mentioned in Leighs post, they were easy watching and often quite informative, I first learned of Brewdog and Grandma’s Weapons Grade Ginger Beer on that show. They were fun too which I definitely think is important, beer is for enjoyment, it should involve laughter, smiles and good times.
A historical section included maybe? Trying to dispel a few myths about beer, show some old clips. Saturday Kitchen have Keith Floyd, we can have Michael Jackson?
Some of the Hairy Bikers stuff was quite good too when they toured Belgium for example, although clearly more food based. I particularly loved seeing them drinking in places I’d visited as it brought back memories, so some of that has to be in there.
I’m not sure I actually want to see beer on Saturday Kitchen either, even though I admit to joining the twitter deluge last year. For me that was about getting voices heard rather than having some flouncy over exuberant beer ponce throwing him/herself around Morrison’s only to pick up a bottle of 3 for a fiver supermarket averageness to pair with a steak and kidney pie. Beer and food though is a must.
Beer reviews. Now I’m not dissing the video reviewing community here, but I’m not convinced lots of beer reviews dominating a TV show would have much mileage (as with written reviews too), there definitely should be some, but perhaps as part of a wider spectrum of info share interspersed with stories and visits to live events. Talking to real people and asking them what they think.
We already have some great presenters out there at the moment who know their stuff and have TV experience, Marverine Cole, Sophie Atherton, Pete Brown to name but a few. Great writers professional and amateur, video and written bloggers too that could all have some sort of input, especially on a regional basis.
So what do we (I) want, I’m not sure either, lets look at what we have so far…
- Laughter, smiles and good times
- History
- Food or more specifically beer and food in all it’s various guises.
- Beer reviews (any flouncy flamboyantness will be banned)
- Real people, get out there at events and talk to folk
I’m thinking maybe something like a mixture of Sunday Brunch, The Gadget Show and Country File. Studio based with food and guests involved but also with a series of field reports from across the regions of the UK and beyond. Showcasing new beers, breweries and brewers and reminding folks of old classics they may have forgotten.
A starter for ten on a new TV show, that isn’t too much to ask is it?
Any takers…..
Beersay 