I am sad to report the death of Nik Milo, who many east London readers will remember as the brewer at the Falcon & Firkin in Hackney (1986 to 1999). The F&F also supplied most of the beer for the non-brewing ‘Firkins’ in London. After the F&F, Nick moved to the Cotswold Spring brewery in Gloucester which started brewing in 2005, ironically using the kit saved from another ‘Firkin’, the Felon & Firkin in Leeds. They won a SIBA Gold Medal in 2014 for their OSM (Old Sodbury Mild). Cotswold Spring merged with Severn Vale Brewery in 2016 to form Combined Brewers but they closed within two years. Nik came to several Pig’s Ear festivals and imparted his knowledge on a number of issues in helping us serve the best possible pint. The cellar team had a lot to thank Nik for and we shall miss him. RIP Nik.
Derek Jones