JHB (Jeffrey Hudson Bitter - Oakham Ales)

Name: JHB (Jeffrey Hudson Bitter)
Label: "Sir Jeffrey Hudson was an adventurer, courtier, and duellist in the service of King Charles I. Although he was only three and a half feet tall, his modest strength was more than made up for in character, much like the beer named after him..."
Brewery: Oakham Ales
ABV: 4.2%

Rating: "A hand crafted bottled ale, based on the cask conditioned. Light and refreshing with a blatant citrus fruitiness and a smooth dry bitter finish. JHB has the innovative hoppiness that is the hallmark of Oakham Ales." Supreme champion beer of Britain 2001 - and eleven years later it's still kickin' ass!

Game: I've had enough of Dubai. All that sand and hot weather was starting to chafe in all the wrong places and it gave me a yearning for the cool breeze and snow of Skyrim.  I feel like I've drank a lot of beer this weekend for some reason. So what better way to celebrate lots of beer than by taking part in a drinking competition in Skyrim? On a trip to Winterhold I happened across a patron in the Frozen Hearth Inn who enjoys a brew or two. One drinking game later and I wake up in Markarth! Best. Game. Ever. 100/10.  (Did I really just give a game a hundred out of 10? Yes.., yes I did).

Forest Fruits (Wychwood)

Name: Forest Fruits
Label: "Mixed berry fruit beer - serve chilled or over ice"
Brewery: Wychwood
ABV: 4.2%

Rating: "A traditionally crafted beer, infused with mixed bramble berries, to deliver a truly distinctive, refreshingly fruity flavour to saver."  Nothing says summer to me more than a pint of chilled fruit beer! Oh and a holiday. No holiday though, so beer it is!

Game: If you ever read anything about Spec Ops: The Line that has a moan saying that it tries to be a story about morality yet the protagonist just keeps on moving through area after area killing enemy after enemy, then don't listen to them because they haven't played the game through to it's epic conclusion... *minor spoiler possibly* it would be like watching the first ten minutes of Fight Club for the first time and thinking you've got the story sussed. 8/10.

Old Timer (Wadworth)

Name: Old Timer
Label: "A classic strong ale handmade in Devizes"
Brewery: Wadworth
ABV: 5.8%

Rating: "Popular with discerning beer drinkers for over 40 years, this classic strong ale remains true to its original recipe - deep chestnut in colour, with a strong nutty aroma and a smooth robust finish." This beer is now popular with me, so in theory that makes me a discerning beer drinker! Bonus!

Game: Ok so Spec Ops: The Line is officially the first game to make me wince whilst watching some of the cutscenes. Two words: white phosphorous. It's grim and as we may or may not know, our 'great' leaders use this shit indiscriminately in real life.  The more I play these kind of games, the more I think the human race is doomed...

Sour Mash Brew (Jeremiah Weed) in a Jeremiah Weed jam jar glass

Name: Sour Mash Brew in a Jeremiah Weed jam jar glass
Label: "The smoothest you'll ever have - Bold taste, smooth sippin' - Mr Jeremiah Weed, the original southern gentleman from Kentucky USA, proudly brings to you his sour mash brew."
Brewery: Jeremiah Weed
ABV: 4.0%

Rating: "Brewed with fruit alcohol, spirit & flavourings." There's something quite satisfying about getting a jam jar with a handle, packing it full of ice, pouring in one of your favourite brews, then totally drinking it all!

Game: So I traded in Ninja Gaiden 3 at Game and got Spec Ops: The Line. They have an offer on at Game by the way whereby I could trade in Ninja Gaiden 3 and get £19.50 off a chart game. As I only paid £20 for Gaiden this seemed like a great deal as it wouldn't sell on PlayTrade for some reason. Deal done, and Spec Ops is superb. A cover-based military shooter with some great visuals and an engaging story. Lots of win. 8/10.

IPA Reserve (Greene King)

Name: IPA Reserve
Label: "Brewing in Bury St Edmunds since 1799"
Brewery: Greene King
ABV: 5.4%

Rating: "A warming, full-bodied ale with a reassuringly rich appearance that belies its mellow fruit aroma. Grapefruit and Orange citrus tones combine with the floral and herbal Styrian Goldings hop variety to deliver a reserve ale of exceptional quality with a dry bitter finish." Another one to add to my favourite top five beers. My top five now contains more than five though.

Game: It got quite poor reviews but thought I'd give Ninja Gaiden 3 a go.  I've played the others in the series so why not! So far it's great! If you're ever after a one dimensional, linear, repetitive button-masher then this is the game for you. It's completely brainless but totally action-packed fun and, although I detest the term I'll say it anyway, a guilty pleasure. No levelling up, no upgrades, no shops, no hundreds of moves and combos to learn, only two weapons and one Ninpo attack, and lots of bad guys. It's simple and uncomplicated. Like a really ace arcade game. 7.5/10.

Double Dropped Bitter (Brakspear)

Name: Double Dropped Bitter
Label: "Craft brewed in Oxfordshire using the unique 'Double Dropped' fermentation system"
Brewery: Brakspear
ABV: 3.4%

Rating: "Brewed as it always has been, with Maris Otter barley, English Goldings & Fuggles hops using the unique Brakspear 'Double Drop' system, that provides a robust second fermentation stage to produce a remarkably drinkable ale with complex, fragrant, mouthwatering characteristics."  A complex and long-winded description on the back of the bottle there, yet mouthwateringly accurate.

Game: A lull in new releases does have its benefits. I've managed to finish Catherine, Clone Wars and I Am Alive recently. I Am Alive is probably one of the most atmospheric games I've played for a long time. Its oppressively bleak post-apocalyptic take on running and climbing with limited resources is a unique experience and the clogging stamina-sapping dust at ground-level is almost palpable. Coupled with the haunting soundtrack this makes it one of the best downloadable games on offer so far.  7/10.

Pedigree Pale Ale (Marston's) in a limited edition pint glass

Name: Pedigree Pale Ale
Label: "Bottled at the Marston's Brewery"
Brewery: Marston's
ABV: 5.0%

Rating: "To celebrate 60 glorious years under the name Pedigree, we have brought back the original bottle label from 1952. Just like in 1952, Pedigree is still craft brewed in Burton Unions using the finest English ingredients." This beer is brillant, check it out in this awesome official glass too!

Game: Finally finished Catherine.  If ever there was a game to promote fidelity, monogamy and the great institution that is marriage, it's this game. The thought of having to go through anything like this nightmare should be enough to put anyone off having an affair. Absolutely horrific puzzles towards the end. Great game, but one of those that I never want to play or see ever again!