|
The Thoughts of Chairman Mick
by Mick Lewis
Last month, I can report, The Wenlock was taken over by Hardy & Hansons. Only this brewery's beer was being sold, with quite a number of their keg products. But before you mourn the loss of yet another freehouse, I can tell you that it was for a new TV series, featuring Neil Morrissey. The big mystery is why they didn't use a real Nottingham pub.
And on the subject of fiction, I have now spotted the "Young's Best" that I mentioned in the last issue. I found it near Turnpike Lane, but I'm afraid that I can't say any more.
A lager importing company has won a victory over the Government. It has been paid £125,000 plus costs by the DTI in an out of court settlement, after the company claimed that the 1989 Beer Orders breached European Law by not allowing its lager as a guest beer. The good news is that it is unlikely to set a legal precedent.
Budweiser have agreed to become a Platinum Sponsor of Manchester United for next season, a team who obviously need the money. How about a little team just down the road in Leyton instead?
And talking of football, a pub licensee in Staffordshire has been refused a license by magistrates, but then easily obtained a license for a shotgun. While he's between jobs, perhaps he could point it at the current Orient team!
Bulmers seem to be in the doldrums, with profits down nearly 18% in the second half of last year. Their packaging line broke down and they saw sales fall in the US. This was apparently due to the September 11, they claim. Nothing to do with not producing the best cider in the world then.
The Prince of Wales in Kentish Town seems like a lively place. Ageing punk Adam Ant has been charged with possessing a firearm at the pub. So the swashbuckling was real after all, eh?
Sorry to see Peter go from the Marquess Tavern N1, a former Branch Pub of the Year. It seems that the pub has lost trade since becoming a dead end street, and Youngs are apparently going to "do it up". He is now to be found at the Coborn Arms, E3, another Youngs pub in the Good Beer Guide, and he's very happy to see his old customers, as I found out just before Christmas.
Lastly, you cannot fail to know that London Drinker Beer and Cider Festival takes place in March. As usual, we will have an interesting range of ciders and perries available, and that's where you'll find me. After my experience at Pig's Ear Beer Festival in December, can I have a rest from people coming up to me and saying "You're Chairman Mick." PLEASE!
Mick Lewis
Reproduced from the Full Pint, Issue 14.
|
