10 questions: Andy Hamilton

Andy Hamilton is an award-winning author, brewer and an expert on wild food and sustainability. He is a taste adventurer and has eaten and drank his way through much of Bristol’s wild flora and fauna. He is also in that enviable position of being paid to drink beer as a taster who delights in pairing his favourites with food.

Andy will soon be hosting a new series of events called The Traditional English Drinkers, comprising of short talks and demonstrations on making different drinks such as gin and cider.

1. What was your earliest ambition?
The house I grew up in wasn’t far from a main road with a sweet shop on the other side of it. There wasn’t a crossing and I wasn’t allowed to cross the road by myself. It was my ambition to be able to cross it and stuff my face with sweets. I used to imagine all sorts of ways to get across, from turning into Superman and flying to getting a load of Lego and building a bridge. A zebra crossing now exists and alas, the sweet shop has been replaced by a chip shop, so I never realised my first ambition.

2. How physically fit are you?
I have a three-year-old son and I don’t drive. Both of which mean I have increased my stamina. Foraging too means I tree climb from time to time which I guess is my gym.

3. If you were mayor of Bristol for the day what would you do?
I’ve always thought that Bristol suffers from a lack of integration as each district can be rather self-contained. I would love to set up some kind of inter-district exchange program. Adults could swap jobs across the city, while children swapped schools. The hope would be that some lasting friendships and greater inter class/cultural awareness would arise. I’d also ban red trousers.

4. What’s your favourite holiday destination?
Every year for the last few years I’ve ended up going to the south of France. Off season in either autumn or the spring the mountains are a wonderland. They are full of plants that are out of season in Bristol and with a much higher biodiversity I can often find new plants to play about with.

5. What’s your biggest extravagance?
Booze and vintage clothes. I love dressing up and have started to use work as an excuse. Donning a waistcoat, bow tie for an event or even wearing a tuxedo to make a YouTube video is great fun. As for booze, I have been blending my own spirits out of foraged plants which means that the booze cabinet at home has grown from a small unit under the telly to most of the spare room.

6. In what place in Bristol are you happiest?
In my kitchen playing backgammon with my partner, having spent the day with my son who would be sleeping upstairs.

7. What ambitions do you still have?
My ambition is something that evolves and changes depending on what I’m doing. Right now, it’s to help champion British drinks and have fun doing so. There are so many small artisanal producers out there that need a shout out so I guess it’s my current ambition to get them noticed and of course to get much of Bristol pissed.

8. What is the greatest achievement of your life so far?
At the risk of sounding twee or over sentimental, I’d have to say siring and bring up my son, although really he’s his own little marvel and he’s always been his own person. Beyond him, being able to make a living out of what I love doing is a continuous achievement. Oh and being a 1/64th of a Bafta winner.

9. Can you sum up Bristol in a sentence?
In a word, ‘positive’. I feel Bristol has really helped me achieve some goals I thought impossible to reach and that is because there are so many supportive people here. We attract them and seem to keep them here too.

10. What is your favourite secret spot in Bristol?
The walk from Netham Common to Keynsham along the river. It had quite steep banks at some points and so you feel very enclosed. When I lived over that side of town I’d often take a walk to keep my sanity while writing my books.  

For more information, visit www.theotherandyhamilton.com.

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