Ellis Thornton, Redmond’s of Dennistoun, Glasgow
• What’s the beer range like in your pub?
We have eight taps including one rotating cask line where we try to showcase the best of what we can get our hands on with emphasis on local brews where possible. On top of that we have a core range of bottled beer and cider full of our favourite brands to which we add interesting, unusual beers that we have read about, sampled elsewhere or would like to try.
• Where do you source your beer from and how do you choose the right range for your premises?
We are inspired by beer that we have tried or read about and take on insights and recommendations from our customers.
• Craft beer continues to go from strength to strength but how important is it for bars to continue to serve a good quality, well-poured pint of mainstream lager?
We try not to get hung up on the idea of the ‘craft’ beer movement. It’s elevated quality in a lot of senses and inspired local breweries to compete on a bigger commercial scale but we’re interested in great beer, whether it fits in with the ‘craft’ title or not. We champion products that we love whether that’s a bottle of Rogue Wave, Vedett Extra White or an Ice Cold Tennent’s. What’s important for bars is that they continue to pursue and highlight quality in every aspect of what they do, and that behind it all is well-informed, authentic service.
• Do you think people have the same kind of loyalty to craft beer brands that exists for mainstream lagers?
I think it has made certain people more adventurous with their initial choice, though everyone has a ‘default’ or ‘go-to’. Whether craft or otherwise, people tend to stick to something that’s to their taste eventually.
• Have you tried any low ABV beer recently? Do you think there’s going to be a bigger market for quality low and no-alcohol beer because of the lower drink driving limit?
It’s definitely something you need to be aware of and cater for, and there is a bigger range than we’ve ever seen available. We try to ensure an alternative non-alcoholic beer alongside a range of soft drinks and juices to allow a quality option for anyone who decides not to drink.
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Stephen Polley, The Crown Inn, Alva
• What’s the beer range like in your pub?
We currently have seven different beers on draught with around 12 different types of beer in our fridges. We recently started selling Carling lager on draught which is turning out to be really popular and is selling really well. I think that people’s drinking habits are starting to change and that they are now willing to try out new brands.
Customers fall in to either one of two categories: they are either price or brand-driven.
• Where do you source your beer from and how do you choose the right range for your premises?
Being a freehold we are fortunate enough to buy our beer direct from the brand owners themselves. We had the usual tried and tested brands initially, but through speaking to our customers I think we now have an extensive range of draught and bottled beers in our premises that our customers prefer.
• How important is it for bars to continue to serve a good quality, well-poured pint of beer?
It’s imperative no matter what you supply on draught that the product is well-poured and managed/maintained correctly. We have a strict cellar management process where the glasses are rejuvenated monthly; also beer lines are cleaned every seven days. The cellar cooling is also essential with the cooling fan properly maintained and always working at the correct temperature. Staff must be trained in how to pour/serve the product correctly; it must also always be served in the correct glassware. Failure to serve a well-poured pint of lager could potentially have your customers drinking elsewhere.
• Have you tried any low ABV beer recently? Do you think there’s going to be a bigger market for quality low and no-alcohol beer because of the lower drink driving limit?
We tried a low ABV beer 18 months ago. Most of our beer customers tried the new brand due to the lower alcohol content and cheaper pint, but eventually slowly went back to their usual brand.
I don’t think that there will be a marked increase on low/no-alcohol brands as people will just drink their usual brand but to a legal acceptable level if they are driving on that day or the next.
