THE GUV'NOR John Baldwin - The licensee of the Big Six in Halifax
John Baldwin
The licensee of the Big Six in Halifax, Yorkshire, believes Camra's full-pint campaign is a waste of time.
I am the landlord of 12 years' standing of a real-ale pub in the heart of Yorkshire. The pub has Adnams Bitter on as its session ale and four rotating guest ales. Our guest ales favour local and microbreweries and we prefer to dispense a barrel in three hours rather than three days. We also use non-lined brim-fill pint glasses.
I am also a Campaign for Real Ale member and have every admiration for the role of Camra in supporting a future for real ale. It is with this in mind that I make my plea - please stop this campaign for a full pint or be prepared to suffer the consequences of success.
Camra's campaign will play right into the hands of both a government with a dislike of the pub trade and anything connected with alcohol, and a European dislike of the pint measure. Currently, with the existing system, the drinker has a choice as to how they have their pint poured. The Big Six drinker, for Adnam's Bitter, pays £2.10 to have the glass filled to his or her desire. I have drinkers who want the sparkler removed for a flat pint and I have customers who want up to 20% of their pint as head.
The key point here is the glass. With a brimful glass, the customer has a choice. Whatever ratio of liquid to head they desire, we can dispense it. Should that requirement not be met, drinkers can vote with their feet and drink elsewhere. If you introduce the lined glass, the choice has gone.
I also believe that beer prices will rise by 5%.
The worst scenario if the Take it to the Top campaign is successful? The Europhiles within British politics take the whole thing to its extreme: pints served the European way, 30cl and 50cl.
Mr Benner, I have but one over-riding passion - much to my wife's utter dismay - that of real ale. Your campaign will sound the death knell of all that you and I hold dear. Please focus the attentions of Camra elsewhere.
