Brewed Beverage of Choice: A Pint of Oatmeal Stout from Goose Island
While perusing my list of blogs to read I came across this story worth reading.
CAMRA’s attempt to save local community pubs
The vision of my brewpub, when I get the chance to open it, is similar to those local community pubs in the UK. It will stress more involvement in the community and be a place for the locals instead of being just another brewpub. Many of my fondest memories as a child growing up in a SMALL farming town in Wisconsin were spent in the local pub/bowling alley.
Unfortunately the pubs are following the trend of other business by becoming a “consistent”, large business aimed at pleasing a wide variety of people. Rock Bottom comes to mind. The beauty of the local pub is it is a mirror of the people and visions of the community surrounding the pub. For example, I live in Buckman in Portland. It is a blue collar , somewhat liberal neighbourhood just outside of downtown. The pubs, bakeries, and coffee houses try very hard to be “players” in the neighbourhood, and the locals thank them by going to their establishment.
In the small towns this is more important. I am saddened by the fact that Hardee’s/Carls Jr, Pick ‘n Save, and Starbucks have invaded the peace of Waterford, Wisconsin. Now my hometown has the same feel as Burlington and East Troy and the surrounding communties. It is not the same. Of course this falls into a greater philosophic argument that I do not have time for right now.
Please support your local businesses and farmers! They are far more important to your community than a Fast Food chain.
Prost!
the confucian brewer