Much to the delight of a vast section of the crowd, the Australian players and Beer himself, the Test match had taken a turn for the better.

BBC: Justin Langer column

The researchers say that in tests on hamburgers, apple juice, beer and beansprouts, the test successfully picked up within 15 minutes.

BBC: Speedy 'burger bug' test

"Experience, I'd say zero - it's the first time I've been inside the SCG today, " said Beer, who was part of the Test squad in Perth and Melbourne but did not feature.

BBC: Ashes: Graeme Swann questions Australia selection

If Australia opt to use four seamers at the Waca, left-arm spinner Michael Beer is likely to miss out on his Test debut after he was drafted in to replace the ineffective Xavier Doherty in Australia's 12-man squad.

BBC: Ashes: Australia ponder four-man pace attack for Perth

Not only have Australia paid the price for his overstepping the mark, but Beer will also be ruing his missed opportunity for a first Test scalp.

BBC: Justin Langer column

Beer only got a chance to exhibit his talent at the SCG in the last Test and went for 112 runs for the single wicket.

BBC: Hilditch defends Australia selectors despite Ashes loss

And who am I to question the value of a breathalyzer test that prevents coders from changing their code while drunk, or a robotic beer dispenser that works with a wave of an RFID-wearing wrist?

FORBES: NY Tech Meetup Strikes A Chord

The big test for the writer was to keep the suspense going though the breaks for advertisements for beer or cereal or whatever: eight minutes of them in a 30-minute programme.

ECONOMIST: Lucille Fletcher