tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30743480.post9102577419923634724..comments2023-09-20T12:50:40.208+01:00Comments on Pete Brown: Why J D Wetherspoon's is fast becoming my favourite craft beer barAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03011702209832734676noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30743480.post-50103467349390974082017-04-20T08:30:09.729+01:002017-04-20T08:30:09.729+01:00Why is it that the Wetherspoon Group seem to think...Why is it that the Wetherspoon Group seem to think that any form of comment about there branch, The Millers Well, London E6, is akin to an act of heresy. You make a complaint in branch and get threatened with a barring order, you then contact customer services and get fobbed off. Surely the name customer service should mean that but in the case of Wetherspoon, it is an excuse to berate the customer whilst extolling the virtues of its service. You then have the mulleted one extolling how the company is a listening, caring entity, that always listens to its customers and how the head office management visits all its sites frequently listening to customer comments and acting upon them. This months issue of there magazine. In all the years l have been drinking in Wetherspoons l have never had a member of the branch staff ask me what l think, let alone a member of head office staff. Yes the prices are good, the products varied but branch service is a joke and there is absolutely no way to alter it courtesy of customer service. This is not only in the Millers Well but to varying degrees it is the same throughout its organisation and believe me my liver knows the number of branches l have visited. The problem is make a complaint and be prepared to be a person non grata. I am making this case anonymous as l have no wish to be barred for airing my views. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30743480.post-22408734152018482842016-10-22T17:51:08.159+01:002016-10-22T17:51:08.159+01:00I want to thank all the nice comments on here, esp...I want to thank all the nice comments on here, especially the Irish ones. <br />I bhave just finished a shift (12 hours) non stop in a spoons and I have been really cheered up by people seeing past the negative hype we get a lot working here. <br />We do try to make a good atmosphere at our pub, we hold the customers in high regard and we always serve the best quality ales. We have so many checks to make sure you wouldn't believe. Plus the ale festivals twice a year have some fantastic stuff. <br />We have some faults in some pubs. I know this. The employees, managers, company all know this and like any place 99% of us are working hard to do the best and make our customers happy when they spend their HARD EARNED money.<br />We have some areas that being a chain doesn't help.<br />But everywhere does. <br />As a hard Working guy I just again want to say thank you. It's nice to see so many good constructive comments for the hard work myself and thousands of other employees put in. <br /><br />Ps, I'm not part of PR I'm just a shift manager who's day was made better by this article and thread......<br /> if your ever in Dublin come visit us.<br />DazBarmandazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02799974878616191560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30743480.post-10810351445437129442015-03-31T12:15:58.863+01:002015-03-31T12:15:58.863+01:00I agree Pete, their range is getting better and be...I agree Pete, their range is getting better and better and its cheap.<br /><br />I really like the devils backbone APA.... I wasn't too sure on their own cans they were doing though.<br /><br />Its funny that once wetherspoons start stocking a good beer beer snobs turn on the brandThe beer collective Andyhttp://www.thebeercollective.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30743480.post-68586882780745197642015-01-19T14:26:10.593+00:002015-01-19T14:26:10.593+00:00I think its important not to forget that in many s...I think its important not to forget that in many smaller towns and cities the 'Spoons will be the ONLY place selling anything remotely crafty. Having paid £5 for a 33cl can of Fourpure IPA in Bermondsey I also applaud Devils Backbone - which I paid £2.49/pint last Friday in Basingstoke. juan27noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30743480.post-681341238345727532015-01-07T20:57:17.654+00:002015-01-07T20:57:17.654+00:00Ah, JDW.
Now, I have no real problem with Wethers...Ah, JDW.<br /><br />Now, I have no real problem with Wetherspoons, there a are a few points to be made. <br /><br />Firstly on price. <br /><br />The low prices charged at JDW are not benign acts of a benevolent benefactor, or evidence of canny buying based on economies of scale, they are a deliberate and intentional act by large businesses to eliminate competition from the market, in these cases both the local independent (hipster or not) bar and the small commercial brewer. <br />It's the same model that Supermarkets and their suppliers have used to virtually eliminate the Butchers, Bakers and Fishmongers from most towns, and small holders from the countryside. It's the same model that Starbucks et al use to crush dissenting local cafés.<br /><br />If you are happy with that, then fine, but it's the depression of wages for the employees and the transfer of wealth away from small businesses into the hands of big business that I'm even less keen on. <br /><br />Why would any talented brewer start producing beer in an environment where you can't make money unless you either have capacity to contract brew for an overseas brewer at a price JDW are willing to pay, or depress ingredient and labour costs enough to do the same? <br /><br />Secondly on quality, not all JDW pubs are created equal! we used to drink in one in East Ham on football days, for years it was run by a guy passionate about beers, and served a good pint, but then he left and was replaced by someone who may have been many things, and Wetherspoons clearly thought well enough on, but served me not only a poor pint, but absolutely the worst beer I've ever been served (the beer itself was a good beer, it's care by the pub, not so much.) and that's including the cask beer we were served near Bath that the Landlord boasted had been on the bar for three weeks......<br /><br />Depends what you want out of life really, and the Law of unintentional consequence. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30743480.post-45005437063396469772014-12-23T17:06:53.105+00:002014-12-23T17:06:53.105+00:00Probably my favourite Spoons is the Gateway in Did...<i>Probably my favourite Spoons is the Gateway in Didsbury, which was a conversion of an existing pub and still feels much like one. </i><br /><br />My favourite Spoons is the Waterhouse in the centre of Manchester, for exactly the same reason. Can't get on with the Gateway - it's a multi-roomer, but the spaces are still a bit vast (see also the Moon Under Water on Deansgate).Philhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07009879034507926661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30743480.post-931980594009513802014-12-23T13:01:49.569+00:002014-12-23T13:01:49.569+00:00I work in the drinks trade and one of the knock on...I work in the drinks trade and one of the knock on effects of Wetherspoons is the slow and sad demise for many, of the local social club bars (British Legion, RAFA Bars, JS Clubs, Labour & Conservative Clubs) These used to be a mainstay of many a community, having inexpensive drinks, basic but good value food and a great place for like minded souls to meet. JDW, because they are so competitive, have become a cheap alternative but don't have the friendly social aspect where you could come in on your own and bump into and sit down with someone. This is not the fault of JDW, but just a consequence of their keen pricing (particularly with food) and ubiquitousness.The Beer Wranglerhttp://www.beerwrangler.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30743480.post-53028281143424673072014-12-22T21:14:14.339+00:002014-12-22T21:14:14.339+00:00Andrew Bowden - I refer you back to my first and m...Andrew Bowden - I refer you back to my first and main reason for not going to the JDW pubs around here.<br />Also, not being a school child or the parent of a school child, your point about boycotting all schools is moot.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30743480.post-29357933649470489272014-12-22T12:57:27.439+00:002014-12-22T12:57:27.439+00:00We have mucho respect for JDW who have been champi...We have mucho respect for JDW who have been championing real ale and small Brewers for the past 35 years and certainly long before, Crafterati or pulled pork bap w/slaw, had any meaning. Many pubs however cannot compete with JDW in terms of price and therefore must have a different take, independent pubs must strive to bring the very best beers from around the world to their customers and sometimes the bloody stuff is not cheap. Matthew knew what he was drinking in De Struisse Pannepeut which is a beautiful beer and was therefore happy to pay £3.50 for a third of a pint. We are lucky we now have such a varied choice available to us as never before and we certainly try to embrace it.<br />I was disappointed to read however Matt that you 'assumed' it was the Jolly Butchers who served the excellent Gamma ray at £6.50 (which is frankly rather pricey!) and therefore should be 'named and shamed'. If you read Pete's piece again it states the cask beer he had, 'hadn't been kept with love and care'. I can assure you there is no shortage of love in this room for our Brewers beer and therefore the clue it wasn't here, was in the piece. <br /><br />James - The Jolly Butchers<br />Jameshttp://www.jollyhutchers.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30743480.post-21701963123223330292014-12-22T12:20:34.472+00:002014-12-22T12:20:34.472+00:00I love them personally, depending on why I'm o...I love them personally, depending on why I'm out though. Wifi, decent coffee and decent food throughout the day, and a great place to start a night out when catching up with friends who all drink different things. Affordable, clean and big enough that you don't have to 'socialise' with the 10am crowd if you don't want to.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03115964633177020749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30743480.post-16529495053680711912014-12-22T11:31:18.123+00:002014-12-22T11:31:18.123+00:00Anonymous - whilst you may be against zero hour co...Anonymous - whilst you may be against zero hour contraects, many employees are happy with them. It all depends on the scheme. There is a world of difference between schemes. Sports Direct's is appalling, but Wetherspoons staff get sick leave, maternity pay, paid holidays, and know two weeks in advance what shifts they will be working. Of the scheme is good and the staff are happy, is there a problem? <br /><br />My council uses non exclusive zero hour contracts to provide fill in staff for school canteens etc. Filled by people who don't want a regular job but are happy just doing random shifts. Will you boycott all schools pointlessly as well?Andrew Bowdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16537107239353802646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30743480.post-83845383117289990012014-12-22T11:30:47.258+00:002014-12-22T11:30:47.258+00:00Anonymous - whilst you may be against zero hour co...Anonymous - whilst you may be against zero hour contraects, many employees are happy with them. It all depends on the scheme. There is a world of difference between schemes. Sports Direct's is appalling, but Wetherspoons staff get sick leave, maternity pay, paid holidays, and know two weeks in advance what shifts they will be working. Of the scheme is good and the staff are happy, is there a problem? <br /><br />My council uses non exclusive zero hour contracts to provide fill in staff for school canteens etc. Filled by people who don't want a regular job but are happy just doing random shifts. Will you boycott all schools pointlessly as well?Andrew Bowdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16537107239353802646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30743480.post-24643967698943657142014-12-22T09:29:40.561+00:002014-12-22T09:29:40.561+00:00My main reason for not going to JDW pubs anymore i...My main reason for not going to JDW pubs anymore is that the ones around here are all hopelessly under-staffed. After walking out for the umpteenth time because I was fed up trying to get served, I vowed never to go back. I only went back again once to try the Sixpoint beers.<br><br />I now have another reason not to patronise their bars - about 80% of their staff are on zero-hour contracts, a practise I am very much against.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30743480.post-75802825950666552522014-12-20T20:51:03.729+00:002014-12-20T20:51:03.729+00:00Good article - ultimately Wetherspoon's sell w...Good article - ultimately Wetherspoon's sell what people want - there is no ideology about craft, cask, keg etc.<br /><br />Plus the customers who want to spend a bit more on beer, will probably buy the more expensive food.<br /><br />I personally feel they lack atmosphere and attract customers I don't really want to socialise with - the 10am pint crew. But hey ho whatever you want.<br /><br />I don't agree with the cask quality comments - it's not good for some reason in my experience - it's not off, it just doesn't test particularly good.<br /><br />Out of interest my spoons has now got Flying Dog, Meantime, 5am saint and a Belgian beer on sale in bottles. It's heavily a real ale pub, so I'm not sure why they are trialing it there, but anyone else seen this?<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30743480.post-43702810442655173032014-12-20T15:13:36.775+00:002014-12-20T15:13:36.775+00:00Pete - I'm with you on this bro. Don't dis...Pete - I'm with you on this bro. Don't disagree with a word of your article.Stonchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07001578598975666535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30743480.post-30073674902307141482014-12-20T01:12:00.576+00:002014-12-20T01:12:00.576+00:00As a beer writer you should have said the Rocheste...As a beer writer you should have said the Rochester Castle has decent Craft beer.Wetherspoons have about 900 pubs and the Tally Ho Finchley which I had the misfortune to be In last week had no Craft beer on draught but some cans in the fridge.Surely your experience in one pub should not colour your judgement on a chain of which you have no experience.They imo are a good asset but they vary from pub to pub. cheersoldgeezernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30743480.post-45265077090696405962014-12-19T18:43:49.200+00:002014-12-19T18:43:49.200+00:00As a brewer I have a lot of respect for Wetherspoo...As a brewer I have a lot of respect for Wetherspoons. I see a lot of cellars when we deliver beer and I can say that JDW have some of the best kept and managed cellars in the business. In addition to that I've always found their manner to be very pleasant and I'm treated as well as if I was a customer. Robert Knopsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30743480.post-74488791320869682842014-12-19T17:21:04.427+00:002014-12-19T17:21:04.427+00:00"Only the other night I was sat in my favouri...<i>"Only the other night I was sat in my favourite bar Mother Kelly's in Bethnal Green, East London enjoying De Struise Pannepeut at £3.50 a third after a couple of glasses of the exceptional Pressure Drop Pale Fire. I was peckish so I ordered some smoked anchovies and some sliced sourdough bread."</i><br /><br />Pretentious, moi?Bradshawnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30743480.post-61575312583173810342014-12-19T17:14:19.347+00:002014-12-19T17:14:19.347+00:00In reply to Phil, I think it's not so much the...In reply to Phil, I think it's not so much the sheer scale of Spoons that make them unpubby, but the fact that they're deliberately not laid out like pubs. The layout is more like a restaurant or works canteen, aimed at groups of diners and intended to minimise dwell time and not let people feel too much at ease. Probably my favourite Spoons is the Gateway in Didsbury, which was a conversion of an existing pub and still feels much like one.Curmudgeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02558747878308766840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30743480.post-78886066831779759192014-12-19T14:13:18.429+00:002014-12-19T14:13:18.429+00:00Seconded the post about JDW in airports.
I've ...Seconded the post about JDW in airports.<br />I've used LHR The Queen's Terminal and Gatwick in recent weeks and the quality and variety in their bars is second to none.<br />The ignorance about JDW is rather like that of UKIP - a preconception based on what other people say about them rather than real experience of them.<br />You'll come around eventually Pete old cock.<br />Wahaay !Professor Pie-Tinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30743480.post-24103609780357692042014-12-19T14:12:07.569+00:002014-12-19T14:12:07.569+00:00In the Wenlock & Essex (on Essex Road, London)...In the Wenlock & Essex (on Essex Road, London), Gamma Ray is £6 a <i>can</i>.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30743480.post-67028168676107787172014-12-19T14:00:34.256+00:002014-12-19T14:00:34.256+00:00I was in the night that JDW opened their first Iri...I was in the night that JDW opened their first Irish pub in Blackrock. The cask was absolutely incredible (Broadsword and Ghost Ship). I said it was the best cask I'd had in Ireland and reminded me of the great beer I used to get when in college in Bolton. Fast forward 2 months and the cask is now as bad, if not worse than other offerings here in Dublin.<br /><br />Turns out that JDW had sent one of their cask wizards over for the opening, and he'd since gone back to the UK.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16023653374988074993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30743480.post-7329467589972053052014-12-19T13:44:11.509+00:002014-12-19T13:44:11.509+00:00The Spoons in Norwich are really grim places. I...The Spoons in Norwich are really grim places. I'll take one of our many awesome pubs every time over saving a quid on my beer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30743480.post-89181686165463908182014-12-19T13:05:07.494+00:002014-12-19T13:05:07.494+00:00Good speech.
Addition of Lagunitas was a bit of a ...Good speech.<br />Addition of Lagunitas was a bit of a coup but the really smart thing about JDW for me is that despite its size it continues to do things that smaller companies would more likely do. It avoids the dull trap of sameness that so many big brands wander into, and its range policy leaves most others standing - not least on food where it has really tried to up its game. David Martinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30743480.post-86590172621613951122014-12-18T22:13:56.471+00:002014-12-18T22:13:56.471+00:00Ron - It's a shame you're still appalled b...Ron - It's a shame you're still appalled by a piece I wrote several months ago enough to reference it here. I feel like I've come a long way in those few months, I've visited several Wetherspoon pubs in several UK cities since then and I've had some good experiences. Not anything that inspired me to write about it but I've developed a deep love for Sixpoint's Pilsner. <br /><br />What I have discovered and admitted to myself though is that I *am* a snob but I'm ok with that. Only the other night I was sat in my favourite bar Mother Kelly's in Bethnal Green, East London enjoying De Struise Pannepeut at £3.50 a third after a couple of glasses of the exceptional Pressure Drop Pale Fire. I was peckish so I ordered some smoked anchovies and some sliced sourdough bread. I sat at the bar and chatted away with the staff and my friends, the music was great, I was immensely happy and could barely bring myself to leave when the time came. If preferring to spend my time and money in places such as these makes me a snob, I'm cool with that. <br /><br />What I'm not particularly cool with is being marginalised with terms such as 'hipster crafterati' in a way that, in this context feels quite derogatory. It's unnecessary and you conveying this opinion here, which you are perfectly entitled to of course, is no better than me expressing my opinions on my blog. I still don't really enjoy drinking in Wetherspoon pubs but that's no big deal, there's choice out there for everyone and that's brilliant.<br /><br />What I am grateful for is having a beer writer I respect immensely post a link to my blog on the blog of another beer writer I respect immensely - Even in this light it kinda feels like an honour, so thanks. <br /><br />Pete - £6.50 for a pint of Gamma Ray is daylight robbery and that pub, which I'm assuming is the Jolly Butchers, should be named and shamed, especially when pubs down the road from it sell the same beer for a pound or one pound fifty less and will be paying the same price per keg.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12362693914759656245noreply@blogger.com