|
 British
pubs, wine bars and for the “teetotalers”, tea shops show
that fast food doesn’t have to come from Golden Arches and
good beer need not, save for pilsners, be stone cold. (Think
of pubs as social centers with comfort food.) If you can get
over the fact that most British Pubs serve their beer at room
temperature, you’ll find great (and more potent) beers like
light lagers, ales of all sorts and “chewy” stouts like
Guinness.
Check
out the specialty of the house – many pubs are owned by
breweries and have a more restricted list, but “free
houses” offer more and “brew pubs” make beer on the
premises. As a
rule, publicans are very proud of their beer and a simple,
“Well, I’m new to British beers and ales, what’s your
favorite?” will get you something special and, if you
don’t like it, something else in many cases.
Pub
grub, if you avoid baked potatoes with beans on top, jellied
eels and other “interesting” items, varies wildly.
If you see a lot of locals eating, you may be on to
something. Ask
about the pub with the best “pub grub” at the corner shop,
and you’re on the way to something special at very low
prices.
British
know what they drink, so if you find yourself in a place with
a “sampler assortment of beers”- it’s probably a tourist
spot. Brews from
the spigot, rather in a glass container are best if you opt
for popular choices with high turnover.
TIP:
Don’t forget to add some malt vinegar to your fish and
chips- people will take you for a native. |
