How to revive TTIP
@tonylgardner's (wild) optimism with sober reflection on past mistakes.
(tags: uspolitics ttip eu )

Leave the Abbey, Join the Playground: The Crucial Influence of Foreign Breweries on Belgian Beer
A syncretic tradition.
(tags: beer Belgium )

General Election 2017: NI candidates confirmed - BBC News
109 this year, 138 in 2015 - a ( Read more... )

Belgian beer culture added to UNESCO world heritage
Hooray!
(tags: Belgium beer )

Political correctness: how the right invented a phantom enemy
Excellent, long analysis.
(tags: uspolitics language )

DWP ignoring effects of benefit sanctions
UK gov't war on the poor continues.
(tags: ukpolitics )

EU Commission: The Smart Money is on Clean Energy
( Read more... )

• Why the Greek Deal Will Work
  An upbeat analysis.
  (tags: eu greece )
• How to Beer Eurocrat
  Exploring all 28 EU countries, one beer at a time.
  (tags: eu beer )
• Flemish government announces new foreign ministry
  Not as dramatic as it sounds.
  (tags: belgium )

• Could Tactical Voting Scupper the SNP?
  In short: No.
  (tags: ukpolitics scotland )
• Leuven pulls out all the beer stops with tours and festival
  Local culture!!
  (tags: belgium beer )
• You Don’t Run the Race When the Runners Have Been Doping-Yes, this is again about Sad Puppies
  The strong case for No Award.
  (tags: sf sadpuppies )
• Benefit sanctions: ( Read more... )

• It Takes Planning, Caution to Avoid Being 'It'
  "Once I step foot outside the rectory, all bets are off," the priest says. "I have to be a little more careful."
  (tags: games )
• "Westvleteren 12" retains status of "best beer in the world"
  Hooray!
  (tags: beer Belgium )

(if, that is, any are reading this):

I see that the Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery has released a new beer called Oud Heverlee Belgian Pale Ale - since it is named after my home village, I will be very interested to hear field reports of its quality!