tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post3206523556370495304..comments2024-03-29T07:17:26.082+00:00Comments on Tandleman's Beer Blog: Nothing Wrong With It?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-3342245355913989562013-05-26T11:05:59.523+01:002013-05-26T11:05:59.523+01:00I've had mixed results when asking for a beer ...I've had mixed results when asking for a beer to be changed because its obviously off.<br /><br />I've met with pure indifference, argumentativeness, "seems ok to me" and with a smile and "sorry about that I'll change it straight away" <br /><br />I always vote with my feet.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16183319811858064722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-1992656492278690942013-05-17T09:06:52.831+01:002013-05-17T09:06:52.831+01:00If beer is obviously cloudy or vinegary you should...If beer is obviously cloudy or vinegary you should have no problem getting it changed. But if it's just a bit tired and stale and past its best, it's more a matter of judgment and you may just end up causing a scene for no benefit. Plus, you're going out for a relaxing drink, not an argument.<br /><br />I also (as Cookie knows) agree with most of the others that, in a pub context, returning your empty glasses to the bar is basic good manners. In the old days, some busy pubs did have potboys who would snatch them away before you had chance, but that's a thing of the past.Curmudgeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02558747878308766840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-7646746271455477702013-05-17T08:22:50.547+01:002013-05-17T08:22:50.547+01:00What the hell they doin letting Yappies in our sho...What the hell they doin letting Yappies in our shop! :-)Kieran Haslett-Moorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04562970144894398803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-7324769196677879442013-05-15T12:47:24.706+01:002013-05-15T12:47:24.706+01:00Intersting that you had that with a Paulaner beer....Intersting that you had that with a Paulaner beer. I had some Paulaner dunkel weiss in that part of the world recently and it had some acetic flavour going on.<br /><br />In the same area, I've also been served keg beer that tasted strongly of bleach. Barman told me it was fine and that the bleach flavour was down to "all the crazy dry hopping those American brewers do". The fact that it was just after opening on a Sunday and the lines had just been cleaned (but not rinsed?) was obviously just a coincidence ...Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09280318504737098116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-85658332543138587602013-05-15T12:33:19.634+01:002013-05-15T12:33:19.634+01:00I've worked out how to change it. Steer clear ...I've worked out how to change it. Steer clear of boozers with dirty tables and crap service and go in places that are better run.Cooking Lagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02830924433230427226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-10294669996124740112013-05-15T11:55:00.535+01:002013-05-15T11:55:00.535+01:00I actively dislike table service. The traditional ...I actively dislike table service. The traditional pub model of empowering the customer to go to the bar himself and interact on equal terms is far, far superior to helplessly sitting there trying vainly to attract a waitress's attention every time you want another pint/to order your main course/the bill etc. It so often takes 2 hours to do what could be done in 20 minutes.<br /><br />py0noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-46521159233088656442013-05-15T11:47:55.744+01:002013-05-15T11:47:55.744+01:00As a former pub owner I can't walk past ANY ta...As a former pub owner I can't walk past ANY table with empty glasses on without struggling to resist the temptation to pick 'em all up.<br /><br />I've also got a bee in my bonnet about complaining about poor qaulity food and drink - I once spent 18 months hounding the MD of a company that owned a restaurant in LHR Terminal One about the dire quality of his rip-off scrambled eggs on toast.<br /><br />I kept getting fobbed off with crap from his PR man but the ignorant fucker gave in eventually and responded to my complaint after I threatened to disrupt his AGM.<br /><br />But 18 MONTHS ?Professor Pie-Tinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-40282458518863145302013-05-15T09:32:29.443+01:002013-05-15T09:32:29.443+01:00Of course people do think about these things, but ...Of course people do think about these things, but what has that got to do with the practicalities?<br /><br />To paraphrase Marx. The problem isn't how to identify what's wrong with the world, but to work out how you can change it.<br /><br />I doubt if Marx would have sat at a table full of empty glasses either. Unless he was more of a cynic that I had him down for. Tandlemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06804499573827044693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-63929162301125942352013-05-15T09:10:34.309+01:002013-05-15T09:10:34.309+01:00When in Europe do you ever become sensitised to th...When in Europe do you ever become sensitised to the good service and wonder why in Blighty people actually think it reasonable to pay through the nose for self service and think it a trade off between clean tables and being served?Cooking Lagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02830924433230427226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-51088642304495630222013-05-14T19:44:06.108+01:002013-05-14T19:44:06.108+01:00It was in London I bought it. Maybe I have become ...It was in London I bought it. Maybe I have become desensitised to London prices. I'll check it out next time.Tandlemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06804499573827044693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-78120069196576451982013-05-14T19:38:57.235+01:002013-05-14T19:38:57.235+01:00Pure Brewed a bloody sight cheaper? Not down here,...Pure Brewed a bloody sight cheaper? Not down here, mate. I think Sam Smith's in London have decided they're competing with the 'craft' bars. Last time I had some if was well over £4 a pint, so was the wheat beer...Sid Bogglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07452473947039475736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-75722389292523912582013-05-14T19:21:08.994+01:002013-05-14T19:21:08.994+01:00Think Cookie has called this one wrong. They don&...Think Cookie has called this one wrong. They don't pay a pot boy these days. The same fecker does it all and he/she is a lazy one more likely than not.<br /><br />Not that any of this had anything to do with what I wrote about, but hey ho.Tandlemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06804499573827044693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-89846838461613852182013-05-14T18:54:10.495+01:002013-05-14T18:54:10.495+01:00When you're standing waiting at the bar wonder...When you're standing waiting at the bar wondering why there is no-one serving you because half the staff are out collecting glasses, you've only got yourself to blame Cookie.<br />py0noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-65950284196867632922013-05-14T17:43:46.354+01:002013-05-14T17:43:46.354+01:00Heh, group hug guys. Get your hand off my arse.
B...Heh, group hug guys. Get your hand off my arse.<br /><br />But guys yey, please. Don't be taking your glasses back. Have some respect for the dignity of labour, the guy or gal paid to do that job. It's a pub not a McDonalds. You'll be offering to wash the glasses next.Cooking Lagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02830924433230427226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-47721509604246522502013-05-14T16:25:42.747+01:002013-05-14T16:25:42.747+01:00Sorry, Bailey, I didn't mean to have a go at y...Sorry, Bailey, I didn't mean to have a go at you. I'm just surprised how often I've read that kind of comment on beer blogs. I tend to assume beer bloggers are more knowledgeable about beer than the average drinker. I too don't like making a fuss, but with beer so dear nowadays, I want it to be reasonable - at the very least.Neville Grundyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10923209266005338452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-10648695734716836772013-05-14T15:35:50.281+01:002013-05-14T15:35:50.281+01:00I take my glass back too. I've worked in a pub...I take my glass back too. I've worked in a pub and that's appreciated. Mind you, I agree with Nev. Don't want them mucking about on tables when I want to be served. Nor do I want to sit amid a load of dirty glasses.Tandlemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06804499573827044693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-15018851362346083902013-05-14T15:35:13.606+01:002013-05-14T15:35:13.606+01:00Nev -- fair point, although (a) it wasn't comp...Nev -- fair point, although (a) it wasn't completely disgusting, just not at its best; and (b) I probably wouldn't complain about a loaf of stale bread if it meant having to get out of my seat when I was nice and comfy to have an awkward conversation with someone!<br /><br />But then I'm a bit of a wuss.baileyhttp://boakandbailey.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-81486592815422065692013-05-14T15:25:15.738+01:002013-05-14T15:25:15.738+01:00I always take my glass back - I often clear the ta...I always take my glass back - I often clear the table I'm sitting at of empty glasses - because I want the staff behind the bar ready to serve me, not wandering around all the tables. Plus, as Bailey says, they like you for it.<br /><br />I'm surprised when I read on beer blogs drinkers commenting that a pint was £X wasted after they were unhappy with it but didn't return it. If I'm dissatisfied, I take the pint back, and it's been a very long time since I've had any argument. Being friendly and courteous while doing so, rather than a stereotyped CAMRA grump, undoubtedly helps.<br /><br />If a loaf of bread costing about a third of the price of a pint were stale, you wouldn't hesitate to complain.Neville Grundyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10923209266005338452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-8096307939611101342013-05-14T15:21:38.651+01:002013-05-14T15:21:38.651+01:00I think what I learn from this is that if I want a...I think what I learn from this is that if I want a pint of cask, go drink somewhere the CAMRA lot give gongs too, it’ll be alright but steer clear of the lout in there as none of ‘em touch it. If you want a lout go drink where people neck that. If you are fussy about your lout that might be via the airport. If you want to complain, be nice but if they’re shitty with you I think you can be shitty with them. Oh and please you lot, it’s the 21st century, service is not servility. It’s okay that someone paid to clear up, clears up, it’s not an embarrassment for you or them. Let them do their job, respect them for it. All labour deserves its respect. It okay to leave the empties on the table. If you want to be nice, they don’t want to be your friend, tip them when they serve you, they probably need it, it’s probably a bum temporary job.Cooking Lagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02830924433230427226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-42791802535189721242013-05-14T15:09:58.435+01:002013-05-14T15:09:58.435+01:00I have always taken glasses back and said cheers w...I have always taken glasses back and said cheers when leaving a bar, starting to do it in coffee houses now much to my bemusement…Adrian Tierney-Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05421802854011395300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-69655759660119221382013-05-14T15:02:33.316+01:002013-05-14T15:02:33.316+01:00I take my glasses back to the bar, too. It's p...I take my glasses back to the bar, too. It's partly about keeping the table clear but, yeah, mostly about wanting to make some kind of connection with the human beings behind the bar so they'll be nice to me. If only I was cooler and more self-confident.<br /><br />I had a very stale pint of Brooklyn lager the other day -- just a hint of sourness and definitely lacking 'zing'. Waste of £4. Sam Smith's Pure Brewed tends to have the advantage of freshness -- I'm quite a fan, especially after any kind of stressful tube journey.baileyhttp://boakandbailey.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-65157781314485617792013-05-14T13:56:04.980+01:002013-05-14T13:56:04.980+01:00To be fair, it's hardly limited to keg beer or...To be fair, it's hardly limited to keg beer or "craft" bars - I had to take back three cask milds in a row last year in a very "camra" pub.<br /><br />Like you, I couldn't believe that they (clearly) hadn't tasted the beers that day, and I was especially surprised that after taking back two pints, they didn't at least sniff the third (equally off) beer before handing it over.Petehttp://www.petedrinks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-28365280960056346492013-05-14T13:48:46.006+01:002013-05-14T13:48:46.006+01:00I love Wrasslers, hasn’t been on last couple of ti...I love Wrasslers, hasn’t been on last couple of times I was thereAdrian Tierney-Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05421802854011395300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-37402751278972481102013-05-14T10:30:22.230+01:002013-05-14T10:30:22.230+01:00I take my glasses back to the bar for two reasons:...I take my glasses back to the bar for two reasons:<br /><br />- if you don't, you can end up with a table full of empty glasses.<br /><br />- I'm so used to doing it at home, it's automatic.<br />Ron Pattinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03095189986589865751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-76794157781573372342013-05-14T10:02:50.127+01:002013-05-14T10:02:50.127+01:00I can understand how it would stick in the craw th...I can understand how it would stick in the craw though, when you pay over the odds, get crap & then have a complaint dealt with poorly. I think the British have a masochistic streak when it comes to customer service. Some like paying over the odds to be treated like crap. Look at pricey celebrity restaurants. Some pub punters seem uncomfortable with people being employed in service occupations, wrongly equating it to 19th century “service” occupations, and desperately take their glasses back to the bar because god forbid someone employed to do so might collect them.<br /><br />I think you should get a tweed jacket, Rupert bear trousers and a monocle so you can say “see hear young man” before any complaint. I think you’d be dealt with better, though you might be mistaken for a UKIP nutter.<br />Cooking Lagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02830924433230427226noreply@blogger.com