Here at Local Brewery we usually don’t stray too far on to the subject of alcoholism, but a recent study amused me, so I thought I’d bring it to your attention.
Researchers at a leading European university have suggested that individuals who play a lot of computer games tend to behave in much the same manner as those who drink to excess. The findings suggest that it’s possible to gain an addiction to computer games, in much the same way as it’s possible to develop an alcohol addiction.
Their study shows that regular games players exhibit some behavioural patterns that were unexpected – in particular, a tendency to either reach a seeming “high”, or alternatively to sink into a moody state of mind.
One of the more controversial elements of the research is the suggestion that children should only be allowed to play computer games for very short periods of time and that, in some cases, it might be wise to enforce a complete ban. That’s because of the suggestion that children suffer more from the side effects than adults. I guess that’s the same as would be the case with alcohol.
So will there now be a rush to restrict the way in which computer and video games are sold, or maybe to ban them in some EU nations?
It’s probably a question that’s asked in many parts of the world, but it seems particularly relevant here in the UK.
There’s certainly a belief that underage drinking is pretty common and in many parts of the country it’s also fairly obvious, so who is to blame? A group of MPs are currently looking at licensing laws and seem to have suggested that the off-trade is largely to blame.
There does seem to be a perception that groups of young people are to be found gathered drinking from bottles and cans that look as though they were bought from a local off licence or shop, rather than a pub. This also seems to make sense, since alcohol would be cheaper when purchased in this way.
Yet off licence and shop owners point out that they often perform rather better at stopping under age youngsters from buying drinks that their counterparts, publicans, appear to perform when tested by the authorities. So how are underage drinkers getting their hands on alcohol?
Presumably there are a number of ways, including direct purchases. Indirect purchases must have an effect too, with older teenagers buying for younger friends, or maybe even parents passing alcoholic drinks on to their children. That may not be the norm, but such indirect purchases must be part of the problem.
The Challenge 21 initiative is being credited with bringing about a change in attitude and I’ve certainly seen people well over the legal drinking age being challenged over the past year or two.
Will any such approaches stamp out underage drinking, or is this simply an issue that society will have to live with?
According to a report in today’s Guardian newspaper, British pubs are closing at a rate of 5 per day. The article, written by Aida Edemariam, takes a closer look at the reasons behind this headline figure.
Rising energy costs, the low cost of alcohol in supermarkets and the effects of the smoking ban are all discussed.
One publican mentions that some customers actually purchase spirits from the supermarket and then just purchase mixers at his pub – he knows this because he finds empty bottles of vodka in the toilets at the end of the night. Astonishing stuff really and it just shows how supermarkets are able to compete so successfully on price.
In separate news, the Shadow Licensing Minister (Tobias Ellwood) has said that there will be a major review of the Licensing Act if the Conservative Party win the next General Election.
He was arguing that the flexible opening hours introduced by the Act had led to an increase in binge-drinking and crime related to alcohol. He also mentions that the promise of more of a cafe culture has not really materialised.
The last point interests me in particular. It’s clear that many local pubs have introduced outdoor seating areas, presumably often as a result of the smoking ban forcing smokers outside. It’s been noticeable to me that many pubs surrounding the high street in the town where I live have been allowed to place tables on the pavements, presumably with the agreement of the local council.
I don’t know whether this has been the case everywhere, however – maybe we’re seeing a situation that rather depends on the local authority and regulations?
Could it be that increasing this cafe-style culture could be one part of the overall picture in terms of helping more pubs to stay afloat? As always, I’ll be interested to hear your view.
You may be familiar with Jon Snow, the newsreader on Channel 4’s main evening news show (shown at 7 o’clock most evenings and well worth a watch!)
It seems that Jon has taken part in a campaign to help save his local pub. The Torriano, in Kentish Town, London was threatened with closure, with owners Space UK looking to re-develop the site.
Pub regulars were understandably unhappy with the plan and took action – more than 100 locals and regulars decided to protest on the steps of Camden Town Hall.
Late last week it appears that councillors decided to reject the re-development scheme, saving the pub. Snow declared it as “a great day for democracy.”
The owners of Magners, the popular cider brand, have suggested that cider sales have fallen considerably in the past 6 months.
Figures released up to August 2008 show revenues down almost 9%, with sales volumes down almost 12% for the period. This is despite the fact that Magners was introduced in draught form to many UK pubs, with it being sold in this way in some 3,000 British establishments.
The consumer downturn has undoubtedly been hitting pubs on both sides of the Irish Sea and the results may not come as a surprise to some.
Magners has been seen as something of a success story in recent years, having helped to spur an increase in cider drinking with its memorable advertising campaigns.
Afternoon everyone,
I had the pleasure of spending yesterday evening at my local. It’s a pub that has a really nice feel to it – I was particularly enjoying the Timothy Taylor Landlord last night.
It was relatively quite in there – possibly we’re seeing people spending a bit less due to the current economic situation, although Thursday’s have never been the most popular evenings, even at this fine watering hole.
As I sat there enjoying the fine company, I couldn’t help but think ahead to the winter months. There’s something particularly special about spending time in a pub on a winter’s night, when the open fire is blazing and you can ignore the cold weather outside.
They don’t play any music in the pub, other than that provided by live performers. Although that may not be to everyone’s tastes, it’s something that I like – it’s nice to be able to have a conversation with friends, old and new. There’s also something rather pleasant about hearing live music.
So roll on the winter and many more evenings of enjoyment ahead. The feeble summer meant that I didn’t spend as much time as I’d have liked in their splendid beer garden, but this really is a pub for all seasons.
If you’ve walked down a high street in the past few days then it’s safe to say that you’ll have passed a Wetherspoons pub. The pub chain have been rapidly expanding in recent years.
Love them or loathe them, it’s clear that these pubs are part of British pub culture. Earlier this week they opened their 700th pub – the latest being in Barnsley.
Wetherspoons pubs are known for their no-music policy and for their cheap drinks. They’ve also stocked numerous local real ales over the years. They do, however, have their detractors – some point to their place in cheap booze culture, seeing them as being part of the move to encourage binge drinking.
The troubles at Liverpool’s Cains brewery may finally be coming to an end, after it was revealed that the administrators have sold the business back to the original owners.
The Dusanj brothers are understood to have purchased the company from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) less than 6 weeks after Cains was put into administration.
The price paid has not been disclosed, but its understood that the brothers intend to run the business as a growing concern, with could bring relief to almost 100 staff members.
The larger company also maintained a larger pub estate, which it is believed is not part of the Dusanj brothers deal.
As well as running my own blog, I like to keep up to date with what other bloggers have to say. There are a number of blogs that I visit regularly to get information and to find out what others are saying within the beer and brewing community.
Here are my top 7 most visited blogs in the last month:
Stonch’s Beer Blog: excellent information on beers, pubs and breweries in London.
A Good Beer Blog: regularly updated American beer blog.
Beer Blog Compendium: collection of news from a wide range of beer blogs.
A Swift One: I like the style of writing in this popular UK blog.
Ruth’s Beer Sampling Record: Does exactly what it says on the tin and puts me to shame – I really should take more notes when drinking.
Beer-Pages.com: The latest musings from Roger Protz.
Beer Blog: A Blog About Beer: A simple name for a blog, but a fun read.
I recommend that you visit them too – you never read too much about beer!
The latest edition of the Good Beer Guide, produced by the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), shows what an impact the increase in popularity of traditional beers is having here in the UK.
70 new breweries were opened during the course of the last year and Camra believe that there are now more breweries in the country than at any time since the end of World War II.
There are now more than 500 breweries in the country, with 230 having been opened during the course of the past 3 years.
Such figures show that, despite problems with the wider economy, real ales continue to prove popular with consumers.
While lager sales appear to be falling there seems little doubt that real ales are on the way up.