John Richards has been a freelance BBC presenter and producer since 1971, writer, and agent for a leading Midlands brewer.  He is Black Country born and bred and has witnessed many changes in the local and national brewing industry over the past 50 years – few of them for the better!

He is a former chairman of the Dudley & South Staffs branch of CAMRA and has campaigned to preserve the region’s cask ale heritage.  Enjoying a pint … or two along the way.

The original thirteen part series of a ‘Brewer’s Tale’ were commissioned in the late 1970s, and mainly concentrated on Manchester the North West Brewers and their history. This was later expanded to include Midland brewers past and present, concentrating on the Black Country.  Many breweries included have long since merged with a loss of identity, or have been closed down and are but a fading memory.

A considerable number of interviews were recorded across the North and Midlands that ranged from draymen to head brewers, to chairman, managing directors and publicans, all documented over twenty years ago.  Traditional songs and readings about drinking in England over the past five hundred years are an integral part of the programmes, to complete this historic series.

Assisted by the very latest technology, all the tapes have been transferred onto CD, and enhanced where necessary.  Each one hour CD comes with a detailed booklet in full colour.

John Richards has written four books about brewers and brewing in the Black Country.  The first was the history of the Simpkiss Breweries, the second was Holden’s of Woodsetton, and the third and most detailed book was the Pubs and Breweries of the Old Dudley Borough.  This detailed book grew out of the research of the previous two titles.  The third book to complete the Black Country trilogy of genuine local breweries was the history of Batham’s Brewery, published in 1993.

In addition to the above, John Richards is a regular contributor to a number of specialist newspapers and magazines in the brewing trade. He is currently researching the history of brewing and public houses in the old Black Delph, Brierley Hill.

To find out more, visit www.midlandspubs.co.uk/john richards