John Booth

John Booth was born in Yorkshire in 1936 and died in Lewes, East Sussex, in 1998.

Writer, Author, Journalist and bon viveur John had the happy knack of writing about subjects close to his heart. Among other pastimes drink and drinking became a lifelong enthusiasm - he devoted long years to studying and sampling a wide range of wines, spirits and real ales - which led to books such as 'Creative Spirits: A Toast to Literary Drinkers' and ' A History of European Wine.'

He also managed to indulge his passion for music and art in several other works.

Unsurprisingly, 'Battle of the Black Pig' is centred around a village pub.

He liked cricket and rugby and when the Six Nations championship was on, he would wear a beret to the pub.