Seeing what the world has to offer, especially when it comes to beer, is one of John Keeling’s great passions. And who can blame him? But in doing so, he’s seeing a lack of quality session-strength brews in the world of modern, craft beer and thinks that needs to change. 

I am a very lucky man. My beer connections have given me the opportunity to travel around the world and it’s something I have continued to do in my retirement.

My first major overseas trip was just after I had been promoted to Brewing Director at Fuller’s in 1999. It had been decided that we were to have a major push in the United States and that required the Brewing Director to be present at a number of events in New York and Boston.

So off I went on my first trip to America and you could say that it kind of whetted my appetite. I also found out that Fuller’s directors always flew business class. A fact that I used for every trip after.

My next trip was entirely the work of Michael Jackson, the much-loved and much-missed beer writer. Michael, along with several other beer journalists, were invited to the first ever vertical Vintage Ale tasting in the Hock Cellar at the Fuller’s Griffin Brewery in London. 

I, of course, had to lead the tasting and in the audience was Reg Drury, my old boss, so I had the opportunity to thank him for the wise decision to hire me. 

In fact, I was Reg’s first decision upon becoming brewing director when he hired me as junior brewer and also his last decision when promoting me to be Brewing Director. Obviously in between those two rubbish decisions, he had made lots of good ones, including the idea brew the first Vintage Ale.

The evening was a great success, how could it fail giving free 8.5% ABV beer to beer journalists! At the end Michael came up to me with Mark Dorber and asked if I was attending the Beer World Cup in San Diego. I said I wasn’t going, and I didn’t think it would be possible. 

He then immediately collared Michael Turner and Anthony Fuller, MD and Chairman of Fuller’s respectively and told them it was a disgrace that British brewers, and in particular, the Fuller’s Brewing Director, was not at the Beer World Cup. 

They immediately agreed with him, called me over and told me in no uncertain terms to go.

Michael then told me that he and Mark were going to get me invited as a judge and they would propose and second me for that job. 

So not only was I flying to San Diego, but I was going to be a judge at the Beer World Cup. All thanks to Michael Jackson and Mark Dorber.

In San Diego I met several brewers and writers who remain friends to this day. The Beer World Cup is still the best beer event I know but now it is several degrees of magnitude bigger.

I am actually writing this in San Diego enjoying a little beery holiday. San Diego is a great place to visit and one of the best places for beer in the world.  

I’ve met up with Bill Vanderburgh whose twitter handle is @CraftBeerInSanDiego.  We went to Second Chance in North Park and then onto Mike Hess for a couple more. I will also be taking in San Francisco during my trip where I will be visiting Heretic Brewery. I hope Symone has her drinking boots on.

Whilst in California I still keep a close eye on things in the UK and notice that Pete Brown has become a legend but more importantly he wrote some very kind words about Fuller’s ESB in a blog entitled Flagship February for which I thank him. 

One of the points he made was that brewing has been under the control of Asahi for nearly a year now and the beer has definitely not changed. 

Indeed, I can confirm that and also know that my old team are very happy with the investment coming into the brewery and at Dark Star too. Long may it continue.

There are not many ESB’s in San Diego and it seems to be a bit of a forgotten style. I think this is a great shame because it has something a lot of craft beers lack which is great drinkability. 

I know in the UK it is regarded as a strong beer but in the USA, it is seen to be on the weaker side. It is overdue a revival I think because the craft beer sector lacks a wealth of session beers, at least great ones like ESB.

I now have to plan a spring trip to the states because I will be attending the next Beer World Cup in San Antonio. I think I will tag on visits to Houston (well that’s where NASA is), Charleston and New Orleans. 

Looks like this year will be a busy one.