July 2009 Archives

Reckon your local's decor is a match for its top-class beer?

The Campaign for Real Ale, in conjuction with English Heritage and the Victorian Society, is running a national competition to promote pub design.

The deadline is 30 September and you can download the entry form here.

From Hugh Muir's diary column in Tuesday's edition of The Guardian: "Finally, while the Act of Union holds fast, each day it is characterised by its controversies and tested by its tensions. Many important figures have been called upon to address these sensitivities. Tim Martin, the ebullient, outspoken boss of the JD Wetherspoon pub chain is just the latest. Asked by a customer to address the issue of why a standard side order produces two tasty, golden hash browns in his English establishments but just one in Wetherspoons outlets in Rhyl, North Wales, Martin said: 'My wife comes from the Rhyl area, where they are notoriously parsimonious (like the Scots, without the generosity).' But then, this mutual understanding is what makes the union what it is. Destinies entwined by love and hate."

Bad news from the fifth Hay on Wye Beer Festival, where even an emergency delivery of 18 beer barrels failed to satiate the tide of thirsty punters. The turn-out was apparently 30% up on last year's event.