Tommy Barnes
Tommy Barnes worked as a graphic designer in London whilst performing as a stand up comedian in his spare time. Until one day he decided to escape the rat race and move to the Loire Valley in France to start a microbrewery, despite having zero beer-making knowledge. His exploits are endearingly and hilariously documented in The Braslou Bière Chronicles, published by Muswell Press.
A Beer in the Loire recounts his calamitous attempt to make a success of brewing beer in one of France's most famous wine producing regions. Part inspirational memoir, part beer brewing manual, part colourful travelogue, it has sold in Czech, French and Korean, and was shortlisted for the prestigious Fortnum & Mason Food & Drink Awards in 2019.
The sequel, Trouble Brewing in the Loire, was shortlisted for the 2022 Fortnum & Mason Food & Drink Awards.
The third and latest instalment, Something Brewing in Cornwall, published in June 2026, chronicles Tommy's reluctant return to England post-Covid, and his quest for a home for his family and microbrewery in North Cornwall. It's a deeply human tale about identity, home, and the weight of nostalgia, served up with biting wit and lashings of craft beer.
Tommy Barnes is represented by Sara Keane.
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