As secretary of Harper's Weekly Gazette, he visited every working whisky distillery in Great Britain and Ireland from 1885 to 1887.

They are: How to blend Scotch Whisky for Mackie & Co, Pattison's/Glenfarclas, Johnnie Walker, Watson's of Dundee, the Highland Distillers and Dalmore distillery.

Following his first success, Barnard undertook a similar beer tour in 1889–1891, visiting over 110 breweries in Great Britain and Ireland.

The end product of this tour was The noted breweries of Great Britain and Ireland, published over three years and in four volumes.

They give a great description of the scale of industry at the time and also some biographies on some of the distinguished families involved, such as the Guinnesses.