Even in his most hangdog moments, Ricky Ponting does not inspire pity. The former Australia captain has been too good a player for that but only the fiercest of English cricket fans could have failed to have felt something for him these past two years. The diminutive Tasmanian's characteristic tenacity and courage were still there, but the dominance at the wicket that had taken him to the top of the Test game seemed a thing of the past.

Lancashire's title, Clarke's Open and Cavendish's jersey show that good things come (eventually) to those who wait

Taking on Guinness is the beer world’s equivalent of offering to mark Lionel Messi, or flicking Mike Tyson’s ears: it suggests a predilection for painful humiliation.

Britain’s “Special Relationship” with the US may exist largely in the minds of our politicians, but in the world of beer it’s as real as taxes.

Today’s Independent carries a profile of Garrett Oliver, but the limitations of print meant there was plenty of interesting stuff that got left out – so here it is...

Contrary to stereotypes, its editor is black, clean-cut – and American.

It’s a dispiriting experience familiar to anyone who has ever asked for beer in one of London’s many high-end restaurants.

You don’t have to be in Yorkshire long to notice that the locals like beer.