I don't want to cover the same ground as I did with my Keeping it Simple post from a fortnight ago, but over the weekend a parallel thought came to mind. Not only do I like my beer simple, I like my watering holes fairly simple as well. I am not a fan of fads, trends and the latest, greatest innovation that promises to revolutionise my very existence - that may explain why I don't have a smart phone or an iPod (my MP3 player is about 6 years old - it still works so no need to change it). Perhaps as I totter happily into my mid thirties, I find the thought of drinking in a proper pub more comfortable than going to a brightly lit trendy bar? The only problem with that notion is that I have always preferred proper pubs and boozers as opposed to clubs and bars.
Eric from Relentless Thirst hit the nail on the head when we were last at Devils Backbone by describing Mrs Velkyal and I as "pub-centric" people. The pub has played a massive part in our life and relationship, we met in one and had our wedding reception in the same pub, Pivovarský klub back in Prague. Actually we spent most of our evenings in Prague in a pub of some kind, when we would go to watch Liverpool, we went to the pub, if we couldn't be bothered cooking dinner, we went to the pub, when we went on mammoth 3 hours walks along the river, we ended up in a pub. When I decided in 2008 that I wanted to write a pub guide to Prague, I knew that the focus was on pubs rather than beer - hence you'll find places that sell Staropramen or Gambrinus in the guide, because they are good pubs.
I bang on and on about pubs that I like, places like Devils Backbone, Flying Saucer in Columbia and my much missed places in Prague, U Slovanské lípy and Pivovarský klub for starters, simply because the pub, for me, is the natural place to drink beer. Where though are your favourite drinking holes? Why do you like then? What makes you come back time after time?
It is about have a good time in a comfortable place. Many beer consumers today are about high ABV and glitz and glamour. Give me a place that reminds me of a good friend's basement or garage, good, sessionable beer and stimulating conversation and you have the makings of a great establishment. We are missing the point on that, terribly, here in the States.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I love going to a place like Max's Taphouse (100+ taps, hundreds of bottles, etc), it is too much on a weekend. Pack to the gills, selling more Bud Light/Miller Lite than craft. I would rather go to my quiet pub, enjoy the few craft they have (fewer I should say), with the company of a couple friends.
ReplyDeleteWhile I don't get out to "the city" (that includes Arlington) as much as I'd like to, my favorite places to enjoy a beer are Galaxy Hut and the basement at Pizzeria Paradiso. For me, the smaller, the better.
ReplyDeleteHad some great time in U Slovanské lípy 3 weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteFirst time alone in Prague, gave me the time and oppurtunity to visit this classy drinking place for the first time. Immediately I felt at home, a non pretendious place, good mix of people. I had a great time drinking those beers from Kout for the first time while I was reading a good book.For me it´s high drinkability, before high abv that matters.The food was filling and cheap as well.