Combining a mix of society's last word and both wit and wisdom, The Steeple Times covers food, drink and fine dining as well as luxury, travel, the arts, individuals of influence and current affairs in the United Kingdom, America and elsewhere. We are best described as being akin to "a cross between The Huffington Post and Private Eye".
The magazine's following is affluent, engaged and international. With 41% of readers coming from the UK and 38% from America, The Steeple Times also has strong presence within Canadian, Italian, German and Australian territories.
March 29, 2020
by General
New Haven, Connecticut born Sarah Winchester became one of the wealthiest women in the world after the death of her Winchester Repeating Arms Company heir husband, William Wirt Winchester, in 1882. With a 50% holding in the rifle making manufacturer plus a legacy equivalent to £426 million ($529 million) in 2020, this true eccentric – … Continue reading “Sarah Winchester (née Pardee, 1839 – 1922)”
February 12, 2020
by Matthew Steeples
Luke Johnson is wrong to urge consumers to embrace alcohol free spirits whilst Luke Jones was right to urge them to love martinis Under Luke Johnson’s reign Patisserie Valerie collapsed. He claimed the experience of masterminding the destruction of a business that employed 3,000 people “shattered [his] self-belief.” Oh diddums for the poor lamb. … Continue reading “A Tale of Two Lukes”
August 24, 2018
by General
Whackjob Wetherspoons owner Tim Martin has followed up on banning foreign booze including Moët & Chandon and now banned dogs from his entire chain of pubs Pro-Brexit publican Tim Martin has landed himself quite literally in dogshit. According to a report in Friday’s Mirror, Martin’s pub chain, Wetherspoon, will ban dogs from both … Continue reading “Brexiteer Tim Martin’s Dog’s Dinner”
November 23, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
As Public Health Wales claims drinking spirits is bad for you, we rebut their frankly stupid study On Tuesday, The Telegraph reported that a completely unscientific study by an organisation named Public Health Wales had found that spirits are more likely to “trigger bouts of depression and unexpected weeping.” Said also to cause … Continue reading “More gin, vicar?”
July 25, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Study reveals drinking alcohol can improve memory A study has revealed that those that drink alcohol after studying recall what they learnt better than those that don’t. The University of Exeter set 88 drinkers a word-learning task and then split them into two random groups. The first were told to drink as much … Continue reading “Brainy Boozing”
April 2, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Spirits brands hike prices by upto 16% and blame Brexit for increasing their supply-side costs Drink loving Brexiteers may have cause to reconsider their enthusiasm for Britain leaving the EU. Since last year’s referendum, the price of vodka has risen 5% on average whilst gin is up 3%. Bombay Sapphire has hiked its … Continue reading “Booze Bashed By Brexit”
January 7, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
BBC executives drink surprisingly little gin, yet the Mail Online make rather a fuss about it On Saturday, the Mail Online published an article about the BBC spending £115,049 on wine, beer and spirits in 2013, 2014 and 2015 following a Freedom of Information Request. The paper surprisingly focused on a total spending … Continue reading “Auntie’s Hardly Ruined”
May 17, 2015
by General
One of three sons of the late Sir David Frost and his second wife Lady Carina Fitzalan-Howard, “rum adventurer” George Frost created his own rum brand, The Duppy Share, after falling in love with the Caribbean
February 2, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
Scotch Whisky Association calls for a reduction in duty on spirits and highlights that the tax on a £12.50 bottle of Bell’s Whisky is a staggering £9.98
September 14, 2014
by General
Vineyard owner and French actor Gérard Depardieu admitted to drinking up to 14 bottles of wine a day in September 2014 but also claimed he is “never totally drunk, just a little pi**ed”.
September 8, 2014
August 25, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
20 questions with Xero Vodka founder William Seth-Smith The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? I try never to turn down adventure for the sake of easy apathy. “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours? Those that mind don’t matter and … Continue reading “William Seth-Smith: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””
August 15, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Has booze baron Vijay Mallya met his match? The Indian tycoon and self-proclaimed “King of Good Times” Vijay Mallya has long been lauded as a mammoth success story but finally, as he faces potential prosecution for alleged non-payment of taxes, it seems as if he may have lost his Midas touch.
August 4, 2013
by Steffen Timm
Steffen Timm takes a tour of Stockholm’s best haunts for cigar lovers Stockholm is regarded as one of the most beautiful capitals in the world. In fact, there is something magical about it, in particularly during the early summer, when the parks and public spaces along the water are filled with locals who seem … Continue reading “Northern lights”
May 15, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks The Palm’s barman Dale Thomson: “What’s on your mantelpiece?” The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? “A positive attitude”. “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours? “Live and let others live”. Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable … Continue reading “Dale Thomson: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””
May 2, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks drinks industry guru and blogger Gary Hazell: “What’s on your mantelpiece?” The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? “Go with your inner instinct”. I always think that most of us know instinctively what is right or wrong. “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our … Continue reading “Gary Hazell: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””
April 22, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Aldi’s £9.65 a bottle gin sees off premium spirits in a taste test Gin, in its simplest form is effectively a neutral spirit plus juniper berries. Other botanicals, such as cassisa bark, saffron and grapefruit peel, are added and create the taste difference that distinguish Bombay Sapphire from Plymouth and Sipsmith from Martin Miller’s. … Continue reading “Cromwell triumphs”
March 27, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
A review of The New Inn at Roborough, North Devon The New Inn at Roborough in North Devon isn’t the easiest place to find. It’s hidden away in a rural backwater, so be sure not to rely on your Sat-Nav to get you to this traditional Devonshire pub. If you do, you’ll be taken … Continue reading “A Devonshire pub with a Scottish twist”
August 20, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Our “What’s on your mantelpiece?” question “What time is it acceptable to have the first drink of the day?” has attracted a large mailbag of correspondence. What’s your view? Please submit letters to editorial@thesteepletimes.com. All letters must be accompanied by contact details and your name and postal address. SIR – I drink from the … Continue reading ““What time is it acceptable to have the first drink of the day?””
May 9, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
The son of screen legend Anton Rodgers is one to watch in the drinks industry. He’s worked with some of the top brands but is now embarking on a new chapter guiding strategy for a variety of clients. He’s a dab hand in the kitchen and also responsible for the phrase: “I’d rather eat wasps.”
May 7, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
This gent has a knowledge of spirits second to none, but he’s now also found a new vocation with his “tales by the riverbank” blog. He’s passionate about fishing and cars but also used to run an antiques shop in Sussex. If you want to go fishing, Gary’s the man to go with.
April 28, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
A self-made billionaire, Frank was the Hugh Heffner of the booze industry. He had major successes with both Jägermeister and Grey Goose vodka. A personal profit of $1.6 billion from the sale of the latter allowed him to become philanthropic and especially eccentric. In his final years he conducted most of his business deals from … Continue reading “Sidney Frank (1919 – 2006)”
