Few if any alcoholic drinks have the dramatic and multi-faceted history of gin. This book explores how a spirit once given a wide berth by the middle and upper classes now attracts such a large proportion of the British public to choose gin as their tipple of choice.  Meer

Join Jane Peyton, the UK's first Beer Sommelier of the Year, as she distils practical advice from the incredible history of the nation's favourite beverage, spanning the earliest evidence of beer 13,000 years ago, its central role in monasteries and on naval ships, its significance in the discovery of cholera, and its enduring popularity today.  Meer

This eccentric Victorian book argues a strong case for the universal wearing of a beard - that essential symbol of manly distinction since ancient times.  Meer

How did drinking the infusions of a unique plant from China become a vital part of everyday life? This gift book presents an entertaining introduction to the history and culture of tea, from its origins to the explosion of different varieties, and the rituals of tea preparation and drinking around the world.  Meer

Beginning with the birth of the tattoo, John Miller explores this unique expression of personal, cultural and national identity, the tension between tattoo's status as a fashion item and its roots in subculture, and the relevance of magic -- a crucial part of tattooing's origins -- in contemporary society.  Meer

A companion volume to The Philosophy of . . . Beards and Coffee, this witty history of wine and its cultivation and enjoyment sheds light on the rich traditions of wine from around the world.  Meer

A book that explores pudding's enduring popularity and why puddings remain the ultimate comfort food. Since the pandemic, sales of puddings are up 20% overall, written by a chef, this is a thorough cultural history of the pudding in all its incarnations.  Meer

The author of The Philosophy of Christmas creates another 'stocking filler' for the festive season, telling the story of boardgames from ancient Egyptian tombs to modern boardgame cafes.  Meer