How More Beer Magazine is Produced – and How You Can Get Involved

Ever wondered how More Beer comes together? From the first ideas to the final delivery in your local pub, here’s how each edition is produced — and how you can play a part.

1. Gathering Ideas and Articles
Each new edition starts with the editor reaching out to branch members for articles, news, and pub or brewery updates. While many discussions now happen by email, plenty of inspiration still comes from chats at branch meetings and socials, or, increasingly, from social media.

2. Editorial Planning
The editor then decides what goes into the next issue — from must-include articles such as Pub and Brewery News, What’s On and more, to the lead story or cover feature. Using a form of skeleton outline – basically an updated list of articles, with regular items and items that are submitted or commissioned, the editor judges how much copy is needed. We also set a publication date to ensure the magazine is ready for distribution to pubs on time.

3. Setting Deadlines
With a timeline in place, contributors and regular writers are given submission dates. Each issue of More Beer includes mention of the deadline date for submissions, so that articles can be assessed in good time. We also invite new voices from the branch and beyond to take part. Anything within reason is considered.

4. Preparing Content
In the run-up to the submission deadline, reminders go out, and early articles are proofread. This helps spread out the workload and keeps the process running smoothly. Contributors often supply photos to accompany their stories, which are reviewed later in the process, particularly to ensure there are no copyright issues. All photos must be free of copyright, so usually it is best to take the photo to accompany an article yourself. High quality is needed for printing so high resolution please. The editor will advise, if need be, on quality and copyright.

5. Finalising and Printing
As the deadline approaches, the editor confirms printing schedules and final delivery dates — especially important if the magazine needs to be available before a local event or if an article has a short shelf life. Once the content is finalised, it’s sent to our publisher, who handles the layout and design and arranges printing and delivery. The first set of proofs is reviewed by the editor and the editorial team, corrections are made, and a final proof is checked before the magazine goes to print.

6. Distribution
When the boxes arrive from the printer, the distribution network takes over. Copies are delivered to local coordinators, who then supply pubs, clubs and bars across the branch area. Distribution is a vital — and often under-appreciated — part of the process. Just a couple of hours every three months can make a big difference. If a handful of new volunteers each delivered a few dozen copies locally, our readership would grow significantly. Does your pub take More Beer Magazine? If not, perhaps you could help.

7. Get Involved
If you’d like to contribute an article, help with proofreading or assist in distributing More Beer to pubs and bars in your area, we’d love to hear from you.

Contact the Editor to find out how you can get involved in submitting content
Contact our Distribution Manager to find out how you can help getting the magazine to our pubs and clubs.