test message

[Peter Corlett]

On 28 Sep 2007, at 15:53, Nicholas Clark wrote:
[...]
> I can sort of see the practicality of that at one level, but on the  
> other hand
> it seems a bit strange - I would have more thought that all pubs of  
> sufficient
> standard should be in the good beer guide, so that if I stumble  
> onto a pub at
> random I can determine whether it is worth going inside.

It's a talent, which I have nicknamed "beerdar", one I seem to have  
got fairly good at.

Generally, you can sense whether a pub is any good by the outside. If  
the pub has a sign outside saying "Sky TV inside" or "Karaoke" or  
"Quiz Night", it's going to be hell. If you didn't even notice there  
was a pub there and had to go up and look it straight in the eye,  
you're onto a winner. Pubs in between are usually good for a half- 
pint as a trial.

I've led a few people to the Jerusalem Tavern who just didn't realise  
there was a point down that street until I pointed out the pub sign.  
They sure weren't in a hurry to get away from the place :)