There's a contradiction at the heart of beer, drinking and pub culture. Sharing a drink with your mates, or even just with the people you only ever see down your local... is great for your mental health. Support, community, conversation and laughter are all good positive things.
And yet...
Alcohol is dangerous. Sadly it is that simple. It's too easy to drink to self-medicate or attempt to ease anxiety is a non-healthy way.
All of which makes this episode about beer and mental health absolutely fascinating. Emma Inch is a highly regarded beer writer and critic... and also a mental health professional. She is about to launch a podcast called 'Same Again' which will explore this exact subject, so I wanted to talk to her about it and support the discussion she is trying to enable.
As well as mental health, we discuss Emma's beer writing (she has written with some legends in the game, let's put it that way) and she has some cracking recommendations on beers to try from near and far.
Plus, as an industry expert, Emma has some insightful thoughts on the current state of the UK beer scene.
Get comfortable, grab a beer and enjoy listening to this one...
To find out the latest about 'Same Again' and all of Emma Inch's other work and projects, follow her on Twitter (@fermentradio)
