The Thinking Drinkers
Ben McFarland and Tom Sandham, also known as the ‘Thinking Drinkers’ are award-winning alcohol experts, drinks journalists, presenters, ‘alco-demics’ and “pioneers of alcohol-based comedy” (The Times). As well as authoring numerous award-winning books on beer, he’s spent seven years as the pub and bar reviewer for Time Out London and was also a sports journalist for The Guardian. Steeped in spirits knowledge and expertise, Tom seriously knows his cocktail onions having been named “Spirits Communicator of the Year” by the IWSC (International Wine and Spirits Competition), regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the alcohol world - mainly because the ceremony goes on for a very long time. He is the former editor of the leading industry spirits and cocktail magazine CLASS and oversaw the launch of World’s 50 Best Bars and House Tonic, the cocktail magazine for the Soho House Group. He is the author of the Gourmand award-winning book “World’s Best Cocktails” and has judged cocktail competitions all over the world. Having first met whilst working on a leading pub trade newspaper back in 2004, they first collaborated in 2006 when they ‘researched’ and wrote “Good Beer Guide West Coast USA” – an award-winning travel guide and craft beer lover’s compendium of the world’s most cutting-edge brewing scene. They followed this award-winning debut with several other books on drink that were published worldwide including “World’s Best Beers” (since updated in 2017), “World’s Best Cocktails”, “Boutique Beer” and “Thinking Drinkers: The Enlightened Imbiber’s Guide to Alcohol”. Their latest book.
“The Thinking Drinkers Almanac”, written during lockdown and published by Octopus Publishing, was recently named “Drinks Book Of The Year 2021” by The Sunday Times and The Times. They also self-published an alternative book on Kebabs – but they don’t like to talk about that too much. The Thinking Drinkers Shows
In 2011, disillusioned with dull drinks tastings and with no theatrical experience beyond leading roles in primary school productions, they transferred their expertise and unique take on alcohol from the editorial page to the comedy stage. Together they wrote and performed “The Thinking Drinker’s Guide to Alcohol”, a unique comedic drinking show during which audience members sip discerning drinks and learn more about the role of alcohol in history. The show debuted at the 2011 Edinburgh Fringe. Following sell-out shows and excellent reviews, it returned to Edinburgh in 2012 at a bigger venue and also transferred to the Soho Theatre in London’s West End. It was performed at the Cheltenham Literature Festival before enjoying a three-month run at the prestigious Teatra Caser Calderon in Madrid, Spain. Having first performed in a small freight container with seating for 60 people eight years ago, they now tour a new show every year to more than 15,000 people up and down the UK. In 2018, the Thinking Drinkers show saw Ben & Tom named Industry Communicators of the Year by Imbibe Magazine, an essential editorial organ for the on-trade. In 2019, they returned to the Edinburgh Festival for the 9th consecutive year where they enjoyed a sell-out run followed by a nationwide tour of more than 30 dates in 2002. Having recently sold the rights to Warner Brothers in Germany and they are in discussions to take the show to America. They are currently in the middle of a nationwide tour with a new show entitled “The Thinking Drinkers’ Pub Quiz” which has just broken a Guinness World Record for the longest running pub quiz show. In addition to the performing, they continue to write for leading newspapers and magazines – with columns in both The Telegraph, National Geographic Food & Travel and The Spectator amongst others – they have also hosted two separate podcasts: “It’s The Drink Talking” and “Around The World in 80 Drinks”. They are co-founders of a leading drinks-driven video production company (Blind Tiger Films) and they were also elected to the “Cool Brands” Council in 2020. Which means they are really cool. What Critics Said About Thinking Drinkers Shows
“For serious and not so serious devotees of legal recreational consumables, the ‘Thinking Drinkers Guide’ is your bible” Dan Aykroyd
“The most entertaining free drinks event I’ve ever been to” Dom Joly
‘An erudite, liquor-loving duo’ Metro
‘Pioneers of alcohol based comedy’ Sunday Times
‘There’s no more discerning way to fall off the wagon’ Time Out
‘An intoxicating success…as interesting as it is hilarious’**** Sunday Express
"Great fun as well as informative, and at times completely mental"
Edinburgh Evening News
“Ben McFarland and Tom Sandham illuminated, educated and intoxicated the crowd. The show is both hugely funny and genuinely fascinating” The Edinburgh Evening News ★★★★
“This is brilliant. I love this show.” The Skinny ★★★★
“A terrific show. And in these austere times, it has to be the best VALUE FOR MONEY in town. ★★★★ The Scotsman
“Fantastic drinks, with fascinating discussion from funny people” Three Weeks ★★★★
