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The Thoughts of Chairman Mick
by Mick Lewis
Well, another London Drinker festival has been and gone. This time, we had a rare visit from a cider maker, as the owner of Ermies and Gerties turned up. In true cider makers style, he appeared perfectly normal, dressed as he was in suit and tie. But when I tell you that the cider is named after two of his cows, you'll realise that he has to be as daft as the rest of us cider nuts. His cider was also voted the best at the festival, with Hecks Hendre Huffcap getting the perry award.
Still with cider, three men have been charged with conspiracy to contaminate Bulmers ciders. One of them - Michael Hancocks - is the MD of Aston Manor brewery and a former director of Hereford Utd football club. Were Bulmers worried that their ciders might have some added flavour?
Bulmers again. They have finally stopped production of their No.7 cider, their oldest brand. OK, so it was bottled and keg, but it was probably their only cider made just with cider apples. Apparently Bertie Bulmer threatened to come back to haunt them if they ever stopped it. If he tastes some of their current drinks, he'll probably die again (this time from embarrassment).
A boffin at Bristol University has invented a watch which will tell you where the nearest pub is as you walk down the street. It will even tell you if it sells real ale. If he can get it to tell you if it's drinkable as well, he's on to sure-fire winner.
Bass now have a system where you can have your photograph printed on a pint glass when you order your drink. After eight pints, you'll now have a set a photos showing you deteriorating throughout the evening. I can't wait.
According to the Budget, we'll all be sitting in our village pubs drinking micro breweries beers 14p a pint cheaper while we watch the World Cup. Am I being cynical when I say that if my beer drops by 14p, then I'll eat my Leyton Orient season ticket. Perhaps I should have done that at the beginning of the season! (Well, you said it, Mick - Ed)
I see that Wetherspoon's plan to have children's certificates in all their pubs by the end of May. So now you know where to go for your quiet pint and a chat, eh?
Dudley Beer Festival has been cancelled for the second year. It normally takes place at Dudley Zoo, and last year it was foot and mouth, this time the zoo has been double booked, and it seems that a beer festival is not compatible with a child-based venue. So much for children's certificates then.
It would appear that it's not just the big brewers that do nasty things. Reckitts, the Humber Premier League champs for the last two seasons have been forced to leave their ground. New owners Hull Brewery have hiked the rent up by 60% and insisted it was paid in full by the end of March or the contract would be terminated. It's a long way from the days when Taylor Walker sponsored the Orient for one season. We were relegated and we never heard from them again.
Lastly, Scottish & Newcastle are looking to double their Chef and Brewers outlets to 200. Do punters really want the equivalent of McDonalds with a pint? I certainly don't!
Cheers
Mick Lewis
Reproduced from the Full Pint, Issue 15.
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