The Head Of Steam group of pubs is known to lead the way when it comes to looking for what’s next in the pub trade, and has decided that the next big thing is imported beers – and cans!
Most of the company’s pubs now sell a huge range of beers imported from every corner of the world. But just how rare can a beer be? Well, not much rarer than Alaskan Smoked Porter from the Alaskan Brewing Co. of Juneau, Alaska.
Price? Not a problem.
“We were a bit concerned about whether we were stocking beers that our customers simply would not want to buy because of the price” said Graham Frost, Manager of Tilleys Bar; “the Alaskan Smoked Porter – admittedly very strong and in a very big bottle – was put on sale at £17.50, and we held our breath. But the bottles flew off the shelf and now we are trying to get some more. Hen’s teeth don’t come much rarer.”
Going can crazy
Meanwhile, going ‘can crazy’ has had a big impact on the trade of the basement bar of The Head Of Steam in Neville Street, Newcastle. “We have live bands and DJs virtually every night in the basement bar,” said Chris O’Connor, Assistant Manager of The Head Of Steam, “Selling drinks in cans there means less problems collecting dirty glasses and our customers think it’s cool, very retro, to drink out of cans – which you can do while you are dancing. So we now have a large range of canned beers from around the world, and they’re going like a bomb.”
And Julian Ive, Manager of the Cluny and next-door Cluny 2 in Ouseburn, Newcastle, is about to introduce a trolley service into the venue of Cluny 2 to serve cans to customers at events so that they don’t have to go two flights up to the bar. “We can’t wait to get the service started next week,” said Julian, “it’s going to make it easier for customers to get better service from us, without them missing any of the show they have come to see.”
Tastings
There is also a trend toward tastings of quality products. The Head Of Steam in Durham has had several tasting nights, while the Central in Gateshead is about to have a malt whisky tasting night: “Only 25 tickets were available and they sold out almost immediately,” said Gavin Sinclair, Manager of the Central.
For more information about what’s going on in The Head Of Steam pubs check out the web site and facebook.