I first encountered Brian in 1974 when, as CAMRA’s national chairman, I attended a meeting of the newly formed South West London branch to explain the plans for CAMRA setting up a pub investment company. I got an extremely hostile reception, mainly because none of any profits would accrue to CAMRA, only shareholders. Of the many people present, Brian stood out as the most vocal and the most effective in articulating his arguments. Despite the initial antagonism we soon became friends. I was impressed with his evident intelligence and invited him to join CAMRA’s newly formed Monopolies Committee, which we set up to find ways to fight the ‘Big Six’ brewing companies.
As time went on, and always one to tell it as it is, Brian became increasingly critical of the leadership of CAMRA, in particular with what he regarded as the uncritical embracing of the new wave of microbreweries, while doing nothing to help the diminishing number of long-established family brewers. His antagonism, frequent expressed by the use of rather undiplomatic language, alienated many people. As a result, his attempts to get elected to CAMRA’s National Executive came to nought. Down the years, many senior people in CAMRA have expressed regret that better use was not made of Brian’s undoubted intellect.
After university, where he obtained a degree in mining technology, Brian joined the Department of Energy where he had a successful career, rising to the rank of Senior Principal. He took early retirement in his mid-fifties. By then his engagement with CAMRA had faded but he was able to indulge his many other interests. These included playing bridge and cricket and, rather surprising for someone rather portly, running half-marathons. He had a particular interest in railways and travelled extensively in Europe, combining his trips with indulging in local food, beer and wine. Needless to say, he became something of an authority on all three. His favourite destination was Dusseldorf, where he delighted in consuming large quantities of Schumacher Alt. His more sensitive side came to the fore through his deep love of opera, which, needless to say, was mainly the heavyweight stuff such as Wagner and Richard Strauss. There were occasions when I saw him so moved by the music that he was close to tears.
His acerbic wit, though a little too crude for some, came to prominence during his stint as editor of London Drinker. He featured an effete young man called Sven who only drank halves of lager and famously had a correspondent by the name of Gary Gobshite who had a writing style very similar to Brian’s.
Brian stayed true to his beliefs, ever ready to argue his case passionately. With only a couple of exceptions he continued to eschew microbrewery products, once appearing at a CAMRA event with a t-shirt emblazoned with the word ‘micropiss’. That was Brian to a tee: fearlessly outspoken and unafraid to give offence. Though never universally liked, his abilities did command widespread respect. He truly was an amazing and unforgettable one-off.
Gordon Massey