"Full of bloody young people"
The Gunmakers has been included in the latest edition of the Good Beer Guide, which went on sale very recently. It's the first time the pub has featured in CAMRA's bible for many years. Already we've seen some unlikely punters cross out threshold as a result.
On Thursday in the late afternoon I was around in the front bar, getting high on my own supply with a few regulars. It was nice and busy. An elderly couple entered, rudely ignored the bar staff's welcome, and proceeded to inspect the premises from front to back. From snippets of their conversation, it was apparent they were here as a result of CAMRA's recommendation. Sadly, the Gunmakers wasn't their kind of place: as they left without buying a drink, the man was heard muttering darkly that our pub was "full of bloody young people". No, I'm not kidding.
When the last unreconstructed old man's pub closes, it's going to be tough for these people. The rest of us won't really care, of course.
I really appreciated all of your suggestions of good country pubs within easy reach of central London, after I asked for help last week. Thanks to all who left comments - there were some great leads I hope to follow up in future. In the end we were feeling lazy, and opted for a visit to The Bricklayers Arms in Putney (first class) followed by a stroll to Barnes where we saw off a few pints outside The Sun Inn (great location, good beers, and well run for a chain pub). It was a beautiful day.
8 comments:
Presumably the local CAMRA branch came round at some time to complete the survey with you - if you hadn't wished to be in the Guide you could always have told them then.
In my experience pubs have not been included on the rare occasions that licensees have not wanted to go in for some reason.
How odd. One of the criteria for GBG inclusion - in my branch, at least - tends to be that the pub welcomes a broad mix of people.
I suppose it could just be they were looking for somewhere quiet. It still seems curmudgeonly of them though (with apologies to the commenter above!).
Did you notice yours is the very first pub in the GBG's Greater London section? I know it's down to the vagaries of alphabetical listings, but congratulations anyway!
Bricklayers is a fab pub bit a bit like the Kings Arms of 4 years ago it only takes one "endorcement" to have the place become a magnet for "the place to go" groupies and its downhill from there!
CAMRA seem to spend an extraordinary amount of effort preaching to the choir.
I'm beginning to wonder if CAMRA have actually found their niche (beer festivals and guides), found their audience (Viz's Real Ale Twats), and there doesn't seem to be any shortage of breweries up and down the land who seem to attach more worth to "Third Prize (Light Ale), West Wittering Round Table Summer Fete and CAMRA Mini Beer Festival" than they do their bottom line.
I like beer, of course, but I definitely won't limit my choice of beer (or pub) to those which have been CAMRA approved. That's just silly.
Do your really let people in who haven't yet reached their 4th decade? goodness me, whatever next?
Curmudgeon, don't be daft. Of course I'm pleased The Gunmakers has been included in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide.
I do think it's a shame CAMRA bigs up grotty, backward pubs just because they serve decent ale, but at the same time if they want to give my business a boost I'm very grateful.
Someone must be upping the price of The Good Beer Guide 2010 after the Gunmakers entry
You must get a few free pint and night on the town with Roger Protz with this edition
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/185249266X/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used
CAMRA is very 'branch oriented', some of which appreciate a variety of establishments serving a range of worthwhile beverages, whereas for some, nothing but a proeletarian slop bucket will do. Sounds like your local branch aren't a lot of fun, but some are.
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