Tips for identifying independent pubs?

Discussion in 'United Kingdom & Ireland' started by berksowl, Jun 29, 2022.

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  1. berksowl

    berksowl Aspirant (287) Jun 15, 2009 Pennsylvania

    I understand there are corporate owned pubs (what an American like me would call "chains"), tied pubs, and freehouses in the UK. Maybe other categories too. But overall any strategies for telling one from another? Traveled in England recently and I found myself wanting to support the independent pubs.
     
    #1 berksowl, Jun 29, 2022
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  2. Sigmund

    Sigmund Grand Pooh-Bah (5,433) Mar 26, 2002 Norway
    Society Pooh-Bah

    "Freehouse" just means that the pub is not tied to a specific brewery - it may still be owned by a pub chain, like Nicholson's, Wetherspoons etc. And some brewery owned pubs might still have a decent rotation of guest ales.
     
    #2 Sigmund, Jun 30, 2022
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  3. Sigmund

    Sigmund Grand Pooh-Bah (5,433) Mar 26, 2002 Norway
    Society Pooh-Bah

    If you are planning to visit an extensive number of pubs all over the UK, you might benefit from buying a copy of The Good Pub Guide, or CAMRA's Good Beer Guide.
     
    #3 Sigmund, Jun 30, 2022
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  4. Ozzylizard

    Ozzylizard Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,419) Oct 5, 2013 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Absolutely! Despite the decrease in pubs across the UK, CAMRA's guide will help you find viable ales. Also look for the "Real Ale" signs and for local beer fests and, this fall, don't forget the Great British Beer Festival (https://gbbf.org.uk/) to find tonnes of brews!
     
    #4 Ozzylizard, Jun 30, 2022
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  5. champ103

    champ103 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,296) Sep 3, 2007 Texas
    Society Pooh-Bah

    The CAMRA pub guide is excellent. Don't be afraid of all tied houses, some can be really great. Specifically Adnams pubs, and always love the Fuller's pubs.
     
    #5 champ103, Jun 30, 2022
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  6. EmperorBevis

    EmperorBevis Grand High Pooh-Bah (9,338) Sep 25, 2011 England
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    A lot of microbreweries have not only run taps but also run or have come to he rescue pubs too, The Smithfield Market Tavern, taken onboard by Blackjack & now provides their wares, plenty of guests & plenty of carry outs.
    Tied houses can be good, like said here, better than a lot of free from tied brewers but still big National chains with photocopy bar stock & pre-set frozen meals.

    More than anything I would recommend local knowledge, sometimes CAMRA can be slanted, for good or ill I’ve ended up probably the most active UK BeerAdvocate & if I don’t know the area, I will know someone who does, & am always willing to talk beer.

    Oh & this too when it’s up and running https://youtube.com/channel/UCrcQIXrKigVbqscXNsONVjw
     
    #6 EmperorBevis, Jun 30, 2022
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  7. berksowl

    berksowl Aspirant (287) Jun 15, 2009 Pennsylvania

    Thanks for the replies. I did read a bit of the CAMRA Good Pub Guide while at one of those very same good pubs. It helped guide my time spent in Edinburgh and in Whitby.

    I'd love to make it back for the Great British Beer Festival, but alas am very nearly out of paid time off from work until 2023. :slight_frown:
     
    #7 berksowl, Jul 3, 2022
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