Fred Garratt-Stanley

Fred Garratt-Stanley

@fred-gs.bsky.social

Freelance writer published in The Guardian, NME, GQ, Pellicle, Ferment, Time Out etc. | #ncfc fan, music lover, pub & beer enthusiast | blog: http://stanchion.me https://linktr.ee/fredgarrattstanley

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Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

There's a reason why Rye, a picturesque town on the Sussex coast, became a haven for smugglers. In this @pelliclemag.com feature, I dive into the dark history of this medieval port & explore how this past still shapes its pub scene today. It's a journey... www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/3/...

pelliclemag.comCinque Ports — How Medieval Law Shaped the Pubs of Rye, East Sussex — PellicleIn 1744, The Mermaid Inn was teeming with open secrets. Bands of rowdy, weather-beaten, sea-faring men would tumble in late at night, rest their pistols on the table, and wait for their tankards to be...
Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

Great Yarmouth is such a fascinating, historic place and a couple of its pubs are absolute gems, so great to see it get the Pellicle treatment

Pellicle@pelliclemag.com

"Great Yarmouth, like many British seaside towns, is all too often associated with poverty...however, this is a place that’s home to friendly, welcoming people, with a gentle—if sardonic—sense of humour. A session in the Red Herring re-enforces this impression." www.pelliclemag.com/home/2026/10...

pelliclemag.comFaded Seaside Glamour — Drinking in Beer and History in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk — Pellicle“Have you seen a man dressed as a chicken?” I’m sitting at the bar of the Red Herring, enjoying a pint of Oakham’s Jeffrey Hudson Bitter, when four men on a stag do burst through the front door.&nbsp...
Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

Once you've read this piece, why not check out this story I wrote about iconic Yarmouth brewery Lacons for Good Beer Hunting back in 2024, brought to life by some lovely photos from @seanislegend.com www.goodbeerhunting.com/blog/2024/4/...

goodbeerhunting.comReawakening the Yeast — Lacons Brewery in Norfolk, England — Good Beer HuntingIt’s a cold December morning, and Great Yarmouth is slowly dragging itself out of bed.  This seaside resort town, located on the easternmost edge of England’s coastline, is a place built for sum...
Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

Writing this piece made me absolutely desperate to get back to Sicily. For Ferment, I spoke to farmers, chefs & writers about the unique role citrus fruit has played in shaping the history, culture, and cuisine of Sicily. This island holds some amazing stories... www.beer52.com/ferment/arti...

beer52.comSicilian Citrus: The Fruit That Shaped Sicily's IdentityDiscover how Sicilian citrus, from Etna's blood oranges to fragrant lemons, has shaped the island's food, history and culture for centuries.

Fred Garratt-Stanley reposted

Phil Mellows
@philmellows.bsky.social

Finally caught up with this excellent piece in Ferment magazine by @fred-gs.bsky.social on the sparkler (thanks to the @britbeerwriters.bsky.social members work monthly roundup) #CONTROVERSYKLAXON www.beer52.com/ferment/arti...

beer52.comCask Beer Sparkler: The History Behind the DebateDiscover the history of the cask beer sparkler, from its Victorian invention to Yorkshire traditions and the debate over how ale should be served.
Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

It's New Music Friday & one of the best things out is the debut album from Californian producer Dahi, of Kendrick/Drake/SZA fame. For @musictech.com I spoke to Dahi about going solo, moving from sampling to live instrumentation & the impact of AI on music production musictech.com/features/int...

musictech.comReintroducing Dahi: “As a producer, you’re servicing other artists and helping uplift their ideas. This was the time for me to do that myself”After culture-defining collabs with the likes of Kendrick Lamar and 21 Savage, Dahi is making his own artistic statement – read the cover story
Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

The energy in Clacton has been febrile lately, as residents gear up for a much-hyped by-election where Reform leader Nigel Farage's main challenger is Count Binface. @theleaduk.bsky.social sent me down to Clacton-on-Sea & the surrounding villages to find out how local people are feeling about it...

The Lead@theleaduk.bsky.social

Ahead of a contentious by-election forced by Nigel Farage's resignation as MP, the Essex seaside town is weighing up Reform's leader against Count Binface and a vast array of other fringe candidates Full report and video from @fred-gs.bsky.social

national.thelead.ukBeaches, blue skies, and bins: What we found out on the streets of Clacton-on-SeaAhead of a contentious by-election forced by Nigel Farage's resignation as MP, the Essex seaside town is weighing up Reform's leader against Count Binface and a vast array of other fringe candidates

Fred Garratt-Stanley reposted

The Lead
@theleaduk.bsky.social

The Lead has been in Clacton-on-Sea speaking to local residents and candidates ahead of the by-election triggered by Nigel Farage’s resignation as MP.

Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

Given how much energy has been given to the cask beer sparkler debate, it's remarkable how little we know about these devices & why they took root in certain parts of the country My latest Ferment story unpacks the sparkler's history in a little more detail www.beer52.com/ferment/arti...

beer52.comCask Beer Sparkler: The History Behind the DebateDiscover the history of the cask beer sparkler, from its Victorian invention to Yorkshire traditions and the debate over how ale should be served.

Fred Garratt-Stanley reposted

Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

The tiny East Sussex village of Glynde really shouldn't have one of the UK's best rural beer scenes. 8 years ago, it didn't even have a pub. But now, it's one of the region's most popular beer destinations In my latest @pelliclemag.com story, I explore what's happened 📷 @clairembullen.bsky.social

pelliclemag.comA Rising Tide Lifts All Boats — How a Fresh Beer Scene Emerged in Glynde, East Sussex — PellicleOn a clear day in Glynde, staff at The Trevor Arms can look to the peak of nearby Mount Caburn—the crowning point of a well-trodden path for South Downs walkers setting off from the town of Lewes—and ...

Fred Garratt-Stanley reposted

Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

I recently visited Dover to do some reporting for a @theleaduk.bsky.social series on the 10th anniversary of Brexit I explored how coastal towns swung that vote, how they've since gravitated to Reform, and why Dover's place in our national story is so crucial national.thelead.uk/p/brexit-eu-...

national.thelead.ukCoastal towns swung Brexit, now they may again hold the balance for ReformA decade on from the UK's vote to leave the EU, we explore how the political landscape has evolved in Dover, a town that's shaping the national conversation more than any other

Fred Garratt-Stanley reposted

Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

Stranger Things actor Finn Wolfhard is known for being on screen, but he's also been dropping music for years. For @dazeddigital.com we spoke about his new album Fire From The Hip, his weird adolescence, British influences & why rock music should be funnier www.dazeddigital.com/music/articl...

dazeddigital.comFinn Wolfhard: ‘I’m not just making music to be cool’Ahead of the release his sophomore album, Fire from the Hip, the musician and actor talks moving on from Stranger Things, forging a new path, and why rock music should be funnier
Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

Stranger Things actor Finn Wolfhard is known for being on screen, but he's also been dropping music for years. For @dazeddigital.com we spoke about his new album Fire From The Hip, his weird adolescence, British influences & why rock music should be funnier www.dazeddigital.com/music/articl...

dazeddigital.comFinn Wolfhard: ‘I’m not just making music to be cool’Ahead of the release his sophomore album, Fire from the Hip, the musician and actor talks moving on from Stranger Things, forging a new path, and why rock music should be funnier
Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

I recently visited Dover to do some reporting for a @theleaduk.bsky.social series on the 10th anniversary of Brexit I explored how coastal towns swung that vote, how they've since gravitated to Reform, and why Dover's place in our national story is so crucial national.thelead.uk/p/brexit-eu-...

national.thelead.ukCoastal towns swung Brexit, now they may again hold the balance for ReformA decade on from the UK's vote to leave the EU, we explore how the political landscape has evolved in Dover, a town that's shaping the national conversation more than any other
Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

The tiny East Sussex village of Glynde really shouldn't have one of the UK's best rural beer scenes. 8 years ago, it didn't even have a pub. But now, it's one of the region's most popular beer destinations In my latest @pelliclemag.com story, I explore what's happened 📷 @clairembullen.bsky.social

pelliclemag.comA Rising Tide Lifts All Boats — How a Fresh Beer Scene Emerged in Glynde, East Sussex — PellicleOn a clear day in Glynde, staff at The Trevor Arms can look to the peak of nearby Mount Caburn—the crowning point of a well-trodden path for South Downs walkers setting off from the town of Lewes—and ...
Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

The V&A East's new exhibition on the history of Black British movements like 2-tone, jungle & grime is a must-visit for any UK music nerd. I wrote about it for the US Observer, and spoke to curator Jacqueline Springer - a serious player in the music reporting game! observer.com/2026/06/art-...

observer.comThe V&A East Opens With an Exhibition That Reconsiders Britain’s Musical HistoryA landmark show at the Victoria and Albert Museum’s new East London offshoot traces the emergence of eight genres of Black British music—from lovers rock and Brit funk to grime—while rooting …
Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

Love that Ferment has started publishing articles online. My latest for the magazine is for its Mexico issue: a deep dive into Corona, exploring how it became the world's best-selling lager not by making good beer, but by selling a very particular image www.beer52.com/ferment/arti...

beer52.comCorona beer: why the lime, and how it took over the worldWhy do people put lime in Corona, and how did a Mexican macro lager become the world's most valuable beer brand? The unlikely story explained.
Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

Very few rappers on earth could authentically muster the kind of enthralling punk rock energy Vince Staples unleashes on his new album Cry Baby. One of my fav albums of the year so far My review for @nme.com www.nme.com/reviews/albu...

nme.comVince Staples – 'Cry Baby' review: authentic punk outpouring from an energised hip-hop storytellerFreed from his Def Jam obligations, Vince Staples delivers his most passionately political release to date with 'Cry Baby'.
Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

Absolutely spot on

Katie Mather@katiematherkm.bsky.social

Woke up and chose violence www.katiematherwrites.com/the-gulp/goo...

katiematherwrites.comGood Pubs are Hard To Find (in the national press) — Katie Mather WritesThe praise being heaped upon The Highland Laddie of late is undoubtedly deserved—it is a marvel of a pub, run well and glowing bright and welcoming in the heart of a much unloved corner of Leeds. I am finding it interesting, however, to see reviewers like William Sitwell rush to find the syrupy ad

Fred Garratt-Stanley reposted

Along Come Norwich
@alongcomenorwich.bsky.social

It isn't just football where Norwich comes out on top. Cameron Huggett takes us on a historical journey to comprehensively and objectively prove that the fine city is the pride of Anglia. #NCFC #ITFC

alongcomenorwich.comEast Anglian Rivalries: A History Through Yellow and Green SpectaclesIt isn't just football where Norwich comes out on top. Cameron Huggett takes us on a historical journey to comprehensively and objectively prove that the fine city is the pride of Anglia.
Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

“I’m not trying to compromise on the things I care about most for dopamine hits... I might suffer for it, but I don’t care.” One of many gems dropped by the inimitable Wesley Joseph in this chat. His debut album Forever Ends Someday is an absolute beauty. @nme.com www.nme.com/features/mus...

nme.comWesley Joseph’s cinematic leftfield R&B and rap finds beauty in overlooked placesReturning from a three-year hiatus with his debut album ‘Forever Ends Someday’, the Walsall-raised, London-based multi-hyphenate delivers a staggering lesson in how to master musical light and shade
Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

Seems likely that this wasn't an official visit - either way, I can only hope it permanently damages the reputation of this horrible little football club! 🤮

BeardedGenius@beardedgenius.bsky.social

A terrible look for Ipswich Town FC ahead of the 7 May elections. There have been reports that this wasn’t an official visit and instead Farage booked onto the stadium tour to fake an official visit, but a dressing room full of Farage shirts looks more organised. Either way Ipswich need to clarify

Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

Over the course of a month in Sri Lanka, it became clear that what’s happening to the south is a dark kind of neo-colonialism: land grabs, rent hikes, widespread cultural erasure and disrespect towards locals. I put a lot of effort into documenting this process - please read & share if you can 🇱🇰

Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

Brewing independently in a country where 70% of people don’t drink is hugely challenging. But Malaysian brewery Paperkite are making it work. In this story, I speak to founder Alvin Lim about the massive cultural & economic obstacles they’re overcoming open.substack.com/pub/fredgarr...

open.substack.comAlvin Lim’s mission to build an independent beer brand for MalaysiaThe founder of Paperkite Brewery is flying the flag for beer in a country where most people don’t drink, and making serious progress
Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

Spotify’s meagre artist royalties have caused controversy for a while, but recent AI military investments have caused the boycott of the streaming giant to grow For @mixmag.net I spoke to artists, fans & groups like @umaw.bsky.social about why this movement matters mixmag.net/feature/spot...

mixmag.netInside The Movement of Artists and Fans Boycotting SpotifyThe meagre financial returns of streaming for artists has been a point of controversy since its inception. Now substantial investments in AI weaponry are causing musicians, labels, and consumers to fu...
Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

So pleased to be included on this list after another year of brilliant Pellicle stories. Thanks @katiematherkm.bsky.social for the incredibly lovely words!

Pellicle@pelliclemag.com

Happy Christmas Eve-Eve! It's time for our Reader's Choice roundup, something that always brings up interesting patterns—for example, every single one of our most-read stories this year was about beer or pubs. www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/12...

pelliclemag.comReaders’ Choice — Our Most Popular Features of 2025 — PellicleSo ends another wonderful year at PellicleMag.com . We couldn’t be prouder of the work we’ve published in 2025—a year that has seen our readership continue to grow, alongside the number of people who...
Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

Forget the semiconductors & geopolitical tensions for a sec; Taiwan should be making headlines for its ridiculously good veggie food scene My latest free-to-read Substack explores the many factors that created this thriving plant-based culture 🥦 open.substack.com/pub/fredgarr...

open.substack.comTaiwan: Unsung Veggie HeavenForget the semiconductors and geopolitical tensions for a minute; Taiwan should be making headlines for its incredible plant-based food scene

Fred Garratt-Stanley reposted

David Desi Pubs Dason
@davidjesudason.bsky.social

Really enjoyed this dispatch from Taiwan from @fred-gs.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/fredgarr...

open.substack.comTaiwan: Unsung Veggie HeavenForget the semiconductors and geopolitical tensions for a minute; Taiwan should be making headlines for its incredible plant-based food scene
David Desi Pubs Dason@davidjesudason.bsky.social

Contemporaries. Let’s make the world better by RTing more independent publications and emerging writers

Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

This is a brilliant piece of storytelling from @davidjesudason.bsky.social & you can tell an enormous amount of work has gone into it 👏

Pellicle@pelliclemag.com

For millennia, the t-shirts of the men in the know have taunted us. "WHAT'S THE MATTER LAGER BOY? SCARED YOU'LL TASTE SOMETHING?" Now, @davidjesudason.bsky.social digs into the social, physical, perhaps even the metaphysical world of Wychwood's Hobgoblin. www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/12...

pelliclemag.comUnder the Bridge — A Definitive History of Wychwood Hobgoblin — PellicleMy love affair with pubs started in Staines. It’s where I found my tribe—the pub as an expression of individuality, an alternative to bland Britain. But I was afraid at first. In 1996, my British-Asi...

Fred Garratt-Stanley reposted

Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

The Fat Cat, Norwich, is a special pub. I’ve pulled many pints and made many memories there, so it was a pleasure telling its story for @pelliclemag.com Thanks to the Pellicle team & @seanislegend.com for the beautiful photos (as per). I hope you enjoy reading 🍺 www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/11...

pelliclemag.comCool for Cats — The Fat Cat in Norwich, Norfolk — PellicleNight has fallen over The Fat Cat in Norwich, and I’ve been here long enough to watch the clientele change. I saw the post-work crowd rush in; now, as it thins, I head to the bar to order a pint of Ti...
Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

Always a treat working with Sean but I particularly enjoyed dragging him around the greatest pub of them all for this one

Sean M@seanislegend.com

The Fat Cat was always one of those pubs that was on "the list", but I never expected to visit. I'm so glad I got the chance to finally tick it off with this visit for @pelliclemag.com. This is my fourth feature with @fred-gs.bsky.social and it's a personal one. Please read and enjoy.

Fred Garratt-Stanley reposted

Pellicle
@pelliclemag.com

For the last in our November-long series of pieces on pubs and pub culture, @fred-gs.bsky.social visits The Fat Cat in Norwich, a pub that's close to his heart for many reasons. We hope you enjoy this beautiful salutation of an all-time great. www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/11...

pelliclemag.comCool for Cats — The Fat Cat in Norwich, Norfolk — PellicleNight has fallen over The Fat Cat in Norwich, and I’ve been here long enough to watch the clientele change. I saw the post-work crowd rush in; now, as it thins, I head to the bar to order a pint of Ti...
Fred Garratt-Stanley
@fred-gs.bsky.social

The Fat Cat, Norwich, is a special pub. I’ve pulled many pints and made many memories there, so it was a pleasure telling its story for @pelliclemag.com Thanks to the Pellicle team & @seanislegend.com for the beautiful photos (as per). I hope you enjoy reading 🍺 www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/11...

pelliclemag.comCool for Cats — The Fat Cat in Norwich, Norfolk — PellicleNight has fallen over The Fat Cat in Norwich, and I’ve been here long enough to watch the clientele change. I saw the post-work crowd rush in; now, as it thins, I head to the bar to order a pint of Ti...