Steve Hobman is our website beer editor. No stranger to a scoop, he is a PR man, beer writer and cask-ale fan who was in one of the very first customers of Brunning & Price in Cheshire: a regular from the moment Harkers first opened its doors.

Following many years honing his journalism and associated skills in the hard drinking North-East - home to The Northern Echo and Cameron’s Strongarm - he was somewhat aggrieved to ship up in Chester during the dark days of Greenalls.

But, with an office fortuitously located in Russell Street, Steve was seriously chuffed when Harkers first threw open its doors in 1989. Thirty seconds from pen push to pint pour was terrific for a thirsty PR exec.

So began a long and, largely, convivial relationship with B&P. (We won’t mention being refused entry to Harkers one lively festive evening). The years since have seen a nodding acquaintance develop with Mr Kidd of the Grosvenor Arms.

Once, in his PR role, Steve was forced to drink several pints of Wrexham Lager - proof he will sell his soul to the devil for a price. But don’t tell the British Guild of Beer Writers. It was while promoting Moorhouse’s Brewery in Lancashire, that he was recruited to the Guild by ale guru Roger Protz.

Steve’s stuff has been broadcast on radio and TV, appeared in all brewing/ pub trade magazines in the UK, many consumer magazines and countless newspapers. As co-editor of The New Imbiber - a magazine for ardent real ale aficionados he - regularly writes about micro-brewers. Sometimes he even samples their wares.