It’s pretty much just about gin and beer… Honestly though it’s kinda almost entirely gin these days as I found that I became quite fascinated in the spirit and thoroughly enjoyed reading and learning about it as well as drinking it! I’ve been really practicing my photography skills aswell and trying to learn about that so hopefully there’s some cool photos starting to come through.

Since the start of the year I’ve been working on my cocktail skills to add some variety to what I’m doing… This has included a weekly “live” cocktail class on Instagram which has been going down a treat.

I’m also not afraid to have fun and don’t take myself too seriously… As my recent video content will confirm… Again, though, this has been really well received.

I also share photos of my two smashing wee cats from time to time… Just FYI!

Do you have a blog or do you mainly use social media to share your thoughts?

I do have a blog. I post a review every month around pay day and that is my recommended Payday Purchase. I also do occasional “features” which include event reviews, Q&As with distillers and, last year, I did a big write up on ready to drink G&Ts and novelty gins.

Although I don’t take myself that seriously and want to make people laugh I take great pride in providing quality, complete information…

 

What was the turning point that made you decide to get involved in the drink blogging world?

I felt I could bring something different, I guess. When I had been reading reviews I had noticed that they were fairly strait-laced, full of industry speak and not a relaxed read if that makes sense. As someone who was new to gin these weren’t particularly easy to read and understand and didn’t, really, help me to make an informed purchase. I wanted to bring it more down to earth, relatable, relaxed, conversational and, hopefully, add a little humour.

I also wanted to show how a gin tasting works with its different stages and give the feedback for each to show the consumer how the liquid can change in how it presents itself to you based off of how you drink it. When I was starting out I didn’t quite know what I should be doing to “taste” so I wanted to make it easy for others that will, inevitably, be breaking into the world of spirits blogging… I like to break things down…

I can’t say I really had goals when I started out. I suppose I wanted to expand my own knowledge. I wanted to write a blog that was for everyone, really. People new to gin could read and understand it but I’d (hopefully) put enough information in so that folk who had more experience with gin could take something away from it as well.

Do you have any drink industry experience and do you think that makes a difference to how people perceive your opinion?

I don’t have any drinks industry experience. I don’t think that really affects how people look at what you’re doing though. I think if the information you’re dishing out is legit its all the same irrespective of your background. That’s not to say having experience wouldn’t make it easier to “break into” drinks blogging… I guess those of us that don’t just need to work a little harder!

What do you hope people take away from your writing?

First of all I hope they enjoy it. But other than that I hope it helps people cement their decision to purchase a bottle of gin. I love it when people message me to say they’ve bought a bottle based off of my recommendation/review and that they’re really enjoying it.

 

Who are you when you are away from the gin and drinks pages? Tell us more about the person behind the name? By the way, where did you get the name for your page?

My name is fairly simple… My name is Nicola (shortened by most to Nic) and I like gin and I like beer… Thats it really!

Away from the gin I just really love to relax for the most part. I love going out to eat and drink. I love my Playstation (gin isn’t the only thing I nerd over), I go to the gym… Nothing outrageous… Nothing fascinating… Like my page name I’m a simple person who enjoys the simple pleasures.

 

Has there been anyone who’s inspired your blogging journey?

My dad suggested I should take notes of the gins I was enjoying when I started dabbling in it… That way I would remember which ones I wanted to buy a bottle of and which ones I was happy to leave for drinking at the bars.

I figured the best way to do that was to take photos and fire them onto Instagram with a wee note underneath… That’s why if you look at my really early posts there are photos of the gin as well as the bit of the menu that tells you about it.

 

Future goals?

I’d love to get to go see some of the distillers I’ve come to know in their natural habitats. As I’ve gotten to know the people behind the drink I’ve been invited to their distilleries to go see the process and see where the magic happens… It’s something I’d very much love to be in a position to do.

I’m always very envious of folk that have these cracking gin brands on their doorstep.

More simply and, perhaps a more personal level, I want to learn more about cocktails and continue to work on my photography skills.

Just to thank Pam for inviting me to take part and that I hope folk have enjoyed reading this. I can’t wait to read the others!

If you want to check out Nic’s fresh take on the gin world then you can find out more here –

https://instagram.com/nics_gin_and_beer?igshid=ouyjh3m7x1pm

https://ginandbeer.blog/2020/05/26/manly-spirits-lilly-pilly-gin-payday-purchase-review/

Take a look at Nic (@gin_and_beer): https://twitter.com/gin_and_beer?s=09