An Oasis
It’s Friday night and I’m in the Brownswood. It’s a pub on Green Lanes and I’ve been going past it on the bus when I take my daughter to school for several years now. This is, however, my first time in it.
I’m drinking a pint named after the pub itself, brewed by the St Austell brewery in Cornwall. This has compelled me to pick up my pen for reasons I’ll get to in a moment. The first thing I want to remark on though is that it’s under 4% and more importantly, under £5! I feel like I’ve parted leafy branches in the Amazon and been blinded by sunlight gleaming off a Mayan temple made of solid gold. I realize I’ve accidentally cast myself as a murderous Conquistador in this metaphor but let’s ignore that for a moment just to marvel on the simple fact that this pint is essentially a time machine!
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It’s not on special offer, it simply costs £4.50. I could safely have 3 or 4 of these and waddle home with a nice warm glow. I’m especially happy because I bought some sausages from the co-op yesterday and can have them with some bacon and eggs when I wake up. I’ll make myself a coffee and celebrate that it’s the last day of cunting February.
I’m already halfway through this pint. It’s vanishing with every gulp. I can taste the heritage of memories of men long since passed, discussing tractors or who’s going to win Division One.
There’s a satisfying hubbub around me too. Yes, I realise, if you’re reading this you know I’m by myself and that might seem depressing. But I’ve found a haven. This is where I want to be.
So why is the St Austell brewery significant? Well, it’s an independent brewery which is doing very well, while the American owned Doom Bar brewery is due to close because it’s apparently financially unsustainable. Doom Bar is a perfectly drinkable beer but it certainly costs more than the rapidly diminishing one next to me
So how does that work then? How does a global company struggle to keep something open when St Austell can sell these so cheap? I mean, obviously, it’s the bottom line or nothing, but if St Austell were losing money they’d go the same way wouldn’t they? They also make the considerably stronger Proper Job which I discovered when some friends got married in Dartmouth and we went on a little boat ride for the reception. I probably sank 17 of them that night yet I still remember it fondly.
So, here’s to cheap, tasty, independently owned beer. Here’s to lovely pubs who sell it for prices people can afford. Here’s to places that encourage socialisation and don’t make sad bastards like myself feel unwelcome. Very soon it’ll be spring. Happy New Year!
