This is one of the questions I’ve been asked most since Alcohol Companion was released. A fair question for which I’ve still to come up with a clear answer. The problem is there was no blinding flash of inspiration. Every time I remember wanting to know more about alcohol’s effects, I remember an earlier occasion. My memory of having these questions fades at, perhaps, six or seven, as they do, but I am sure I was curious before that. And, why wouldn’t I be? What could be more tantalising than a commonplace item nobody can tell you very much about? Writing a book on it was a fairly straightforward way to finally get some answers. Now I wonder why I left it so long?