[Archived] Real Ale

[Al]

Just read this topic for the first time for a while. What a miserable bunch of barstewards some of you are. I always used to frequent the 'folk' pubs in my youth and they were always packed and much ale was quaffed. Trouble is these days that good entertainment is not recognised unless it is electronic and has a screen. The good old sing song in the pub has sadly been lost. No wonder the pubs are closing all over the country.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Just read this topic for the first time for a while. What a miserable bunch of barstewards some of you are. I always used to frequent the 'folk' pubs in my youth and they were always packed and much ale was quaffed. Trouble is these days that good entertainment is not recognised unless it is electronic and has a screen. The good old sing song in the pub has sadly been lost. No wonder the pubs are closing all over the country.

You couldn't sing anything to the shower of Kean that inhabit The Bridge Inn. I'd rather knock nails through the back of my hands.

[thenodrog]

Just read this topic for the first time for a while. What a miserable bunch of barstewards some of you are. I always used to frequent the 'folk' pubs in my youth and they were always packed and much ale was quaffed. Trouble is these days that good entertainment is not recognised unless it is electronic and has a screen. The good old sing song in the pub has sadly been lost. No wonder the pubs are closing all over the country.

So where are they now? Still going are they? How tf can wailing about wearing clog's t'mill and eating dripping sandwiches be entertaining?

[PAFELL]

Just read this topic for the first time for a while. What a miserable bunch of barstewards some of you are. I always used to frequent the 'folk' pubs in my youth and they were always packed and much ale was quaffed. Trouble is these days that good entertainment is not recognised unless it is electronic and has a screen. The good old sing song in the pub has sadly been lost. No wonder the pubs are closing all over the country.

Provide decent ale and pubs will stay open. I know folk who travel miles just to visit a pub they know have decent ales, especailly CAMRA members. Some folk go to pubs where there is no entertainment. Prefer to have a decent beer and a good chat, pub banter etc.

These days I prefer clubs to pubs. But I also know I am biased on that, as I often work the bar in a RAFA Club. I just found the atmosphere a lot better. Maybe because when you join a club, there is normally a membership fee, so folk more committed to the place they have joined. We have just sent out renewal notices to our members. Had a bit of a surprise in the increase of numbers just this past year - down to one thing only, the beer served. Any functions / entertainment that we put on, folk consider secondary to the beer. 18 months ago we only had one real ale pump on. Now we have 4 and about to install a fifth. Beers ranging from 3.8% to 7.4%. All our beers are guest beers, as we refuse to have a club beer. We use micro brewers up and down the country.

The majority of the pubs closing are what I call lager houses. Or pubs where they cellar is just a room and not looked after properly. But the ones who specialise - if that is the right word - in ale are increasing as consumption of ale drinkers is increasing. The days of the bloke with the pipe and cardigan with his pint of ale, has gone. Women are turning to ale in increasing numbers. Get the beer right first and foremost and things like entertainment, food can be added as customers increase.

Pubs are closing due to government taxes and cheap alcohol in supermarkets.

[thenodrog]

Pubs are closing due to government taxes and cheap alcohol in supermarkets.

...... and the recession,,,,, and the smoking ban......and drink driving legislation.... and the higher cost of housing leading to less diposable income.... and massive changes of the demographics in some areas where muslim quarters (or in Blackburn's case halves) have been established..... and the massive shift to internet dating (Sutcliffe and the Wests would have had a field day now) and cos of this so many pubs are 'dead' and have lost any atmosphere.

I guess the traditional 'local' could soon be history. Shame cos the pub along with the local schools and churches should be the glue of a community. Nowadays few go into the pubs, few go to church and most dump kids out a car door at the school gates. No wonder our society is becoming dislocated is it?

[Sparky Marky]

Provide decent ale and pubs will stay open. I know folk who travel miles just to visit a pub they know have decent ales, especailly CAMRA members. Some folk go to pubs where there is no entertainment. Prefer to have a decent beer and a good chat, pub banter etc.I

These days I prefer clubs to pubs. But I also know I am biased on that, as I often work the bar in a RAFA Club. I just found the atmosphere a lot better. Maybe because when you join a club, there is normally a membership fee, so folk more committed to the place they have joined. We have just sent out renewal notices to our members. Had a bit of a surprise in the increase of numbers just this past year - down to one thing only, the beer served. Any functions / entertainment that we put on, folk consider secondary to the beer. 18 months ago we only had one real ale pump on. Now we have 4 and about to install a fifth. Beers ranging from 3.8% to 7.4%. All our beers are guest beers, as we refuse to have a club beer. We use micro brewers up and down the country.

The majority of the pubs closing are what I call lager houses. Or pubs where they cellar is just a room and not looked after properly. But the ones who specialise - if that is the right word - in ale are increasing as consumption of ale drinkers is increasing. The days of the bloke with the pipe and cardigan with his pint of ale, has gone. Women are turning to ale in increasing numbers. Get the beer right first and foremost and things like entertainment, food can be added as customers increase.

Pubs are closing due to government taxes and cheap alcohol in supermarkets.

You don't half talk some shyte.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Where I live in Rochdale pubs have been closing left, right and centre. There used to be several " runs " where on a Friday or Saturday night a gang of us youths would have a pint in every pub or on some runs a half. There was about 4 runs all going down main roads. One " run " in particular had about seven or eight pubs, all bar one have closed now and you wouldn't go in that one unless you wanted some drugs or knocked off gear ! I reckon in the last ten years half of the " central " pubs have closed and I'd only go in 2 or 3 of the ones left open.

Some of them were good places for ale drinkers and some were even in CAMRA but the demographic changes and cheapness of supermarket drinks along with the prices in pubs have killed them off. The two I mainly frequent both charge £3.50 upwards for a pint of lager so it's no longer a cheap night out.

[thenodrog]

I drove past today and noticed The Stanley is boarded up. That was a proper pub.

[Sparky Marky]

Vulcan. Is that still there?

[Hanks]

I drove past today and noticed The Stanley is boarded up. That was a proper pub.

Some of the locals where trying to buy it,

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/business/news/10050345.Chance_to_buy_shares_in_a_Blackburn_pub/

Played pool there many times, used to be very popular

[Hanks]

Vulcan. Is that still there?

Its been a car park for over 20 years now. There has been a couple of Vulcan reunions in the past few months and if you use Facebook there is a "I drank in the Vulcan in Blackburn" group/page with plenty of photos on.

[PAFELL]

You don't half talk some shyte.

Really. I an telling you what I am finding. The beer in my club is £2.60 a pint. On the south coast, 50 yards from the beach. We are still making profit. Custom has increased cos of the beer.

I accept in towns, cities it could be harder. Also we do not have the Muslim situation. But having helped two pubs in Hastings, 1 in Eastbourne and the club I go to and work in revive. I believe my tactic of a decent cellar and good beer, works.

If that is talking shyt, then I am happy to do so.

[Al]

So where are they now? Still going are they? How tf can wailing about wearing clog's t'mill and eating dripping sandwiches be entertaining?

Sadly, probably because of insensitive and selfish people like yourself they are fast dying out. Groups like the Houghton Weavers were very popular at one time and still should be. If it isn't to your taste then drink elsewhere. Your selfish sarcasm is not appreciated. Folk music and real ale have always been connected. Especially in the Lake District and popularly in Ireland.

[thenodrog]

Sadly, probably because of insensitive and selfish people like yourself they are fast dying out.....................

..............If it isn't to your taste then drink elsewhere.

Don't tell me that you haven't spotted a connection Al? Quite obvious that most people hate the sight of those unkempt bearded luddites clad in arran sweaters, cheap jeans and shoes that look like dead pigs noses belting out ditty's in a tedious old lanky dialect.

[Stuart]

Are you into more contemporary music, Theno?

# Summon As A Used Ter Know #

# Garstang Style #

# Trouble (At t'Mill) Maker #

# Yer Give Me Summat #

# Read All Abewt It #

# Half A Dozen Degrees Of Separation #

[Al]

Don't tell me that you haven't spotted a connection Al? Quite obvious that most people hate the sight of those unkempt bearded luddites clad in arran sweaters, cheap jeans and shoes that look like dead pigs noses belting out ditty's in a tedious old lanky dialect.

You don't have the right to speak for 'most people' particularly as all your posts are always aimed at being controversial and getting somebodies back up enough to cause an argument. I try not to rise to the bait but you are so bloody arrogant that I often do.

[colin]

and shoes that look like dead pigs noses

Good of you to drop a bit of Ian Dury & The Blockheads lyrics in there. I wouldn't have you down as a fan of "Blockheads," but credit where its' due old bean. Well done.

[Mike E]

Ooooooh boy. Timothy Taylor's Landlord......heaven!!

[PAFELL]

Ooooooh boy. Timothy Taylor's Landlord......heaven!!

Really!!!!!! Personal choice I suppose. But not for me.

[thenodrog]

Good of you to drop a bit of Ian Dury & The Blockheads lyrics in there. I wouldn't have you down as a fan of "Blockheads," but credit where its' due old bean. Well done.

Good spot Colin.......... No fooling you is there?

There aint alf been some clever @#/?s!

[PAFELL]

Sorry, had to bump this thread up.

An interesting bottle of beer you may want to try

CANNON BALL by MAGIC ROCK brewery A nice 7.4% abv Magic rock do some very nice beers.

Should be able to get it via www.alesbymail.co.uk Good site for interesting beers - espececially the dark star ones (yes I am biased again).

[PAFELL]

Just tried a new beer by Rother Valley Brewing, called EXIT 5.7% abv. Lovely beer. Problem is it tasted and went down as a session beer. But after 6 or 7 pints, it creeps up on you. I am used to beers of a 10.5% abv (Yes, I know that some would say extremely sweet. But these days brewers are a bit smarter and know how to tone down the sweetness). So was very surprised how this one crept up on me. Have to say this is the best I have had from this brewing company.

Anybody on here drink in the fieldens arms (spelling) in feniscoles?

[cletus]

Does anybody know much about this Hopstar mini brewery in Darwen?

I`ve heard the name crop up in conversation a few times, but wondered if anybody can enlighten a bit more?

Good beer? Bad beer?

[Willie Eckerslike]

Does anybody know much about this Hopstar mini brewery in Darwen?

I`ve heard the name crop up in conversation a few times, but wondered if anybody can enlighten a bit more?

Good beer? Bad beer?

I've tried their beers a couple of times but never really enjoyed them.

Plenty of people must though because they've been going for a few years now and you do see them in pubs throughout east Lancs

I think Dizzy Danny Ale is one of their best sellers (or at least I see it a lot!)

For anybody in the area that's into real ale, it's the Pendle Beer festival next Thursday, Friday and Saturday (31st Jan, 1st feb, 2nd Feb)

It's in Colne at the Muni. Train straight through from Blackburn and the Muni is about 400yd walk from the station.

It's usually one of the best beer festivals in the area - over 100 beers and you can get food too (although it tends to leave less room for more beer after!)

http://www.pendlebeerfestival.co.uk/index.php

[cletus]

It's in Colne at the Muni. Train straight through from Blackburn and the Muni is about 400yd walk from the station.

400yds from station to muni.....600yds back lol.

A pal of mine from the Wigan area is a real ale fan & says he`s been on a few 'real-ale-rail days'. Train from Manchester Victoria over to somewhere in West Yorkshire (Halifax or Leeds way) train stops at various stops where you disembark, sample reals ales of pub outside train station, back on train to next stop & repeat until you get back to Man Vic. Sounds like a fun day out to me