There’s a particular kind of culture shock that comes not from landscape or language, but from the bar. For anyone arriving in Cornwall from the north of England, where hand pulls often offer a rotating cast of breweries and styles, the shift can feel subtle at first, then suddenly quite stark. Cornwall is, by any measure, a beautiful place to drink, with coastal pubs, sea air, and a slower pace of life. But for the travelling or transplanted real ale drinker, it can feel, at times, like something of a desert of variety . That may sound harsh. It isn’t meant to be. A Strong Local Identity Cornwall is not short of good beer, far from it. Breweries such as St Austell Brewery and Skinner’s Brewery have built strong reputations, producing ales that are widely enjoyed both locally and across the UK. Walk into many pubs across the county, and you’ll find their beers well kept, well presented, and clearly appreciated. For locals and visitors alike, this consistency is a strength. There...
The notebook of a renegade bartender and amateur drinking enthusiast with a passion for real ale, beer festivals, microbrewing, and pubs. Relentless rants on what to drink, while quaffing, scoffing and reviewing from both sides of the bar.