+++ Firkin Info-List v2.5 +++
Sean Desmond
Note the changed URL for the HTML version:
<http://www.mesklin.demon.co.uk/beer/firkin.html>
The mirror remains unchanged:
<http://www.columbia.edu/~pcj1/b-firkin.html>
T H E F I R K I N I N F O - L I S T
an introduction to Firkin pubs and beer
Version 2.5 of 12-Jan-97 by Sean Desmond. /
Compiled by Sean Desmond, Roger Burton-West and Sean Keane.
Document size=52K
CONTENTS
Introduction
The Firkin Beers
What is a Firkin?
The Firkin Chain History
The Firkin Brewing Process
Dogbolter
Special Brews
Beer Storage
T-Shirts and other Goodies
The Firkin Crawl
The Firkin Club
Master Brewer's Address
The Firkin Directory
Standard Firkin Features
Firkin Forays
Hedgehog & Hogshead Pubs
Ex-Firkin Pubs
INTRODUCTION
Firkin pubs serve beer brewed either on the premises, or imported from
another pub in the chain. All of these 'Firkin Beers' are unpasteurised and
unfiltered. Those served from casks qualify for CAMRA's definition of 'Real
Ale,' but those served from cellar tanks do not (due to the use of blanket
pressure). Other ales and lagers are also available. Because the Firkin
chain is ultimately owned by Carlsberg-Tetley, you can expect to see
Castlemaine and other mass-market beers on sale as well. Most pubs also
serve Weston's 'Old Rosie' (7.3%), a traditional cider.
If you're visiting London, my personal recommendations would be to call in
at one or two of the Flounder, Fox, Pheasant and Phoenix. See the directory
for addresses and other details. You shouldn't be too disappointed if you
visit any of the Firkin pubs listed here, though. If you're a hophead, or
prefer beers served in the Southern English manner, see the note on
sparklers.
THE FIRKIN BEERS
You should see the following ales on sale at all Firkin pubs:
* Full Mash Mild (3.4%) is a dark, malty beer and is only lightly hopped.
Mild beers were originally designed to be drunk in quantity after a
hard day's manual work, but they have suffered an image problem in
recent years. Recently, CAMRA started a 'Make Mine Mild' campaign, an
attempt to boost their popularity.
* Firkin Bitter (3.5%) is sold under different names in each pub. It is
the least malty of the staple beers, but has an upfront hoppy
character.
* Firkin Best Bitter (4.3%) also has a number of house names. It's more
malty than the Firkin bitter and has a strong, balanced hop taste. This
is my favourite Firkin beer. Usually promoted as "the brewer's choice".
* Firkin Strong Bitter (5.0%) is a more recent addition, first seen in
1995. It's light in colour, with more alcohol than malt in the taste.
Possibly derived from Golden Glory.
* Dogbolter (5.6%) is a dark, strong ale with a full malty flavour. It's
a formidable pint which should be consumed in moderation, but this
isn't always the case!
Most pubs serve Golden Glory (5.1%) from time to time, a drier summer beer.
Christmas ale is seasonally brewed, and is usually available from the start
of December. The 1994-95 and 1995-96 brews were Mistlet'Ale (8.0%).
The house ales have a distinctive taste, mainly due to the use of Fuggles
hops. These are used in many other English beers, traditionally in
combination with Goldings hops, but the taste seldom comes through as
clearly. If you can, compare them with Whitbread Fuggles Imperial and
Goddard's 'Fuggle-de-dum.'
Current pint prices (for the South of England) start at #1.65 for the
Bitter, #1.80 for the Best Bitter, and #1.90 for Dogbolter. Mistlet'Ale has
been kept at #2 for the past three years, but this is bound to change soon:
its strength means that it's taxed too highly to stay profitable at that
price forever. The house ale prices vary with the location of the pub (as
with most pub chains). Recently, there's been an alarming drift towards #2
in the pricing of the Best Bitter and Dogbolter.
Only about one-third of the Firkin pubs brew, but a number of pubs that
started their life without breweries have since been upgraded to brew their
own. However, the Goose & Firkin (the first in the chain) has now lost its
brewery.
WHAT IS A FIRKIN?
A firkin is a small beer cask, holding nine Imperial gallons (72 pints). The
name is derived from Dutch (vierde meaning four). Two firkins make a
kilderkin, two kilderkins make a barrel and one-and-a-half barrels make a
hogshead of 48 gallons (384 pints). Aluminium kegs start at nine gallons.
THE FIRKIN CHAIN HISTORY
The first pub in the chain (the Goose & Firkin) was opened by David Bruce,
in 1979. It was converted from a shut-down Truman house, and brewed
full-mash beers. Many other pubs were added, until 1988, when the chain was
sold to Midsummer Leisure, now known as European Leisure. They were sold
again in 1990 to Stakis Leisure. The Firkin Pubs are currently owned by
Taylor Walker, which is a division of the brewing giant Carlsberg-Tetley.
The Firkin chain is proving to be very profitable, and many new pubs are to
be expected in the future.
THE FIRKIN BREWING PROCESS
Promotional handout:
"Firkin beers are made from the finest malted barley (mainly from East
Anglia), the choicest Kentish hops (called Fuggles and Goldings) and water.
Local water is used but is treated with crystals to neutralise some of the
acids in a process called Burtonisation (after the famous brewing waters at
Burton-on-Trent). The treated water is now known as liquor. It is stored in
the hot liquor back until its temperature reaches 80 degrees Celsius, and
then it is pumped along to the mash tun.
The hot liquor is mixed with the crushed malted barley and fills the bottom
half of the mash tun. This mixture is called 'the goods.' It is left for one
and a half hours, during which time the starch in the malt is converted to
sugar.
At the end of this time, the sweet wort is pumped into the copper. Once it
has drained, sparging begins, which is simply spraying hot liquor over the
grains. The liquor percolates down taking the malt extract and sugars
through the perforated base of the mash tun. This is the 'wort.' When all
the goodness has been extracted from the mash, the spent grains are then dug
out and used as cattle fodder.
The wort is brought to the boil in a large copper vessel, where hops are
added, which act as both flavouring and preservative. The wort is boiled
with the hops for one and a half hours, after which the heat to the copper
is switched off, allowing the hops to sink and form a natural filter bed.
The hopped wort is then pumped through a heat exchanger, which reduces its
temperature to 18 degrees, prior to filling the fermenting vessel. The spent
hops are dug out and may be used as garden fertiliser.
The yeast is added to the wort in the fermenting vessel, and the sugars in
the wort are converted by the yeast to alcohol and carbon dioxide. The more
sugar produced from the malt in the mash tun, the more the yeast can convert
into alcohol to produce a stronger beer.
The fermentation process lasts from four to five days, at the end of which
the beer is racked (put into casks). At this stage, finings (obtained from
the bladders of sturgeon fish) are added which clarify the beer by
coagulating the yeast and protein particles, which would otherwise cloud the
finished product.
The beer is stored for at least two days to mature and condition prior to
serving. Every Firkin brewpub can produce 1500 pints of Firkin beer each
time it brews."
Editor's notes:
The above is possibly dated information. According to recent promotional
material, Yakima Valley Mount Hood and Hertfordshire Fuggles hops are used,
along with English Maris Otter malt.
Most brewing Firkins are five-barrel plants, capable of producing up to 1440
pints with each brew. The Falcon (also possibly the Flea) can brew ten
barrels at one time. There are also plans for a fifteen-barrel plant in
Watford.
DOGBOLTER
Another handout:
"While brewing an Earthstopper (approx. 7.5%) in the cellar brewhouse, David
Bruce heard the telephone ring, so he clambered upstairs in his wellies to
answer it. The call was longer than expected and by the time he returned the
brew was no longer strong enough to be the notorious Earthstopper. He
decided to make the best of his mistake and announced in the bar that there
was no Earthstopper but that a 'new' beer was to be launched by the name of
Dogbolter (5.6-6.0%).
The name has in fact been in the family for many years, ever since David's
favourite uncle in Yorkshire had inflicted more than a few pints of an
equally strong brew on some friends. Walking home through the wet and windy
night they slipped off the path, slithered into the beck and gave such a
shriek that both their dogs took fright and bolted onto the moors, not to be
seen again until morning.
Customers so enjoyed Dogbolter that David Bruce had to formulate a special
recipe to match his mistake and it has been brewed ever since in each of the
Firkin brewpubs."
Dogbolter brewkits are available in most of the pubs. They are manufactured
by EDME for the Firkin chain. The original Dogbolter recipe seems to have
come about from the over-sparging of malt for Earthstopper, which had an OG
of 1075.
SPECIAL BREWS
Winter and Christmas beers are a longstanding tradition in British brewing,
and the Firkin brews are always strong, and sometimes spiced. They become
available early in December, and are finished by the new year. Some Firkin
pubs reduce the price on New Year's Eve to ensure that the beer will sell
out by closing time.
The recipe will change from one year to the next, but the strength is always
displayed at ABV 8.0%. Red Dwarf (1993) was strong, dry and suffered from
oxidation, perhaps due to its low consumption rate. Improvements in handling
and storage meant that the spiced Mistlet'Ale (1994 and 1995) was much more
appetising. The spicing reminded me of mince pies.
Other seasonal beers are brewed on a monthly basis. They are irregularly
distributed throughout the chain: the average Firkin pub will carry only one
at a time. If you're searching for a particular brew, be prepared to spend
some time on the telephone, chasing it down. Most of the "specials" are
brewed at the Fox & Firkin. If no one-off brews are being sold at a
particular Firkin pub, Golden Glory will usually be sold instead. Some pubs
are making a habit of taking in genuine guest beers (i.e. brewed outside of
Calsberg-Tetley's domain). This is a good idea.
Beltane (4.0%) is annually brewed for the Spring Equinox. The 1995 brew
wasn't my favourite. The 1996 version was seasoned with nettles, and had a
distinct... botanic taste. I didn't finish my pint. It was brewed at the
Friesian.
Black Heart Stout (4.6%): A palatable sweet stout, sold for a while at
almost all Firkins. The name is a reference to Sweetheart Stout, available
bottled in many British pubs. It proved so successful that a standard Firkin
Stout was launched, available under house names in many Firkin pubs.
VE Mild (3.2%) was a slightly fruitier version of the Firkin Full Mash Mild.
It was sold at #1.10 a pint, the cheapest Firkin beer since 1993. The
Pharaoh has continued to sell this beer (presumably brewing it as well), but
at a higher price.
1700 Porter (7.5%) was brewed for the GBBF 1995 and featured a few unusual
ingredients. Liquorice root and capiscum powder were used, as well as other
spices. A heavy, potent beer that filled the mouth with flavour and left a
good impression.
Ginger Beer'd (5.5%) was available at about the same time, but was not sold
at the festival. Brewed with about one-third wheat malt, and gingered twice.
It was also lightly hopped, and turned out to be quite drinkable.
Dog Days (4.2%) was originally a summer beer for 1995, not too strong in
alcohol and with a long pleasant aftertaste. Well suited for hot afternoons.
The name was used again in 1996 for a wheat beer. This was spiced with
bitter orange and coriander, in the style of a Belgian Wit beer.
Old Corruption (7.0%) was a sweet, fruity strong beer that went down
smoothly. It might have been lightly spiced, as well.
London Stout was a sweet stout, and fairly strong. It wasn't hoppy at all,
and could be described as 'sticky.'
Sparrowhawk (4.7%) was a dry bitter with fruits added during the boil, but
these weren't as noticeable as its powerful and pleasing hop aftertaste.
Brewed at the Falcon.
Chipotle Chili Ale (5.2%) was a pale beer brewed with 40% wheat. It was
spiced by adding a smoked chili pepper to each cask in the same way some
beers are dry-hopped. The chili flavour appeared in the aftertaste, and it
wasn't overstated. I enjoyed it, but not enough to buy more than a half-pint
at a time. Brewed at the Friar.
John Barleycorn (4.6%) was a dark malty beer, but not as much so as
Dogbolter. Pleasant but not too memorable. Brewed at the Flounder.
Coppertop (4.5%) was a new brew for winter from the creator of Ginger
Beer'd. It started out with a wheaty taste, and became more hoppy later on.
Cushy Butterfield and Mad March Ale (both from Spring 1996) were brewed to
about 5% ABV, and weren't as bitter as Firkin Best. They seemed to be
halfway between that and Dogbolter in taste. Not very memorable. Beers of
this strength are also being offered as a third house ale in some pubs, such
as the Fanfare.
BEER STORAGE
Most of the Firkin pubs use wooden casks (without breathers) to store and
serve their beer from. Some of the brewpubs still use cellar tanks, storing
the beer under a blanket of Nitrogen, or a mixture with Carbon Dioxide. The
gas used in these tanks may affect the taste of some beers. This may lead to
you getting a better pint in one of the non-brewing pubs than from a pub
that brews its own! The quality of the beer as served also depends on the
care the staff take in handling it.
A series of visits to Firkin pubs in the London area have made me think that
beer served from pubs that don't brew is better. Pubs that brew their own
sometimes serve beer with a slightly stale taste. I haven't tested this
theory outside of London.
Dogbolter seems to suffer the most in pubs that don't use casks. This is a
result of its centralised brewing and distribution, especially in London.
House ales tend to be brewed as close as possible to the pubs that serve
them. Improvements in the quality of Dogbolter, and more recently the house
ales, can probably be attributed to more efficient distribution methods.
Sparklers
Recently, the newer Firkins have started using sparklers to serve Dogbolter
and their house ales. These generate a tight head, allow the pub to sell you
less beer for the same price, and reduce hop character. If you see a small
black plastic device at the end of the handpump's swan neck, that's the
sparkler. All bar staff will remove it before pulling the beer if you ask
them to. When I order a pint, I always ask for it to be removed.
It's usually worth asking about the storage system; you might find out how
knowledgeable the staff are about it as well as what kind of system is used.
T-SHIRTS AND OTHER GOODIES
All of the Firkin pubs sell T-shirts with the pub's logo on the front, and a
slogan featuring part of the pub's name on the back. They are available in a
range of colours, and are priced at #6-#7 each. Some pubs do sweat-shirts
(same design) for #12. Firkin Brewery mugs are available in some pubs, along
with bar towels. The Falcon & Firkin also serves takeout packs (polypins) of
Dogbolter and its house ales, which are available in 18 and 36 pint sizes.
Some other pubs do this too, but it's wise to phone a day or two in advance
in all cases. An 18 pint polypin of Dogbolter costs slightly more than 18
pints bought over the bar.
There is also a range of Dogbolter merchandise, including a T-shirt (with
the Dogbolter pump clip logo on the front, and 'Beware of the Firkin Dog
Bolter' on the back), a mug and an enamel pin. The Fulmar & Firkin also
sells a Dogbolter club tie.
Two home-brew kits are available direct from some Firkin pubs or in your
local homebrew shop. These are for Firkin Best Bitter and Dogbolter. Both
kits contain 1.5kg of hopped malt extract and require the addition of sugar.
The Dogbolter kit is intended for a half-size batch, so you are likely to
get a more malty beer. The lower proportion of sugar required also means
your Dogbolter homebrew will suffer less from 'cidery' off-tastes. You will
get better results from both of these kits if you substitute plain malt
extract for some or all of the sugar.
Experienced homebrewers should be able to devise extract or grain recipes
for the standard Firkin beers based on the information in this list.
THE FIRKIN CRAWL
This is a crawl of 12 London pubs in one day. When you apply, you will be
given a passport, which has to be stamped at each of the pubs. There is also
a recommended route included, which covers 24 of London's (then) 25 Firkin
pubs (the Fiddler, in Croydon, is left out). You are given a tube or bus
link between each pub on the recommended route. There's a 'mystery bonus'
for exceeding 12 pubs in one day.
I did the crawl when the requirement was ten London pubs in a single day
(Summer 1993). My shirt has 'The Firkin Ale Trail' on the front, and the
pubs' addresses on the back. Newer shirts have a design with red buses on
the front, and are issued to some senior staff (landlords and brewers),
whether they have completed the crawl or not!
THE FIRKIN CLUB
Joining the Firkin Club (life membership is five pounds, cheques payable to
'The Firkin Club') entitles you to a 10% discount on T-shirts and other
Firkin merchandise, and a monthly newsletter with Firkin news and
competitions (the newsletter is also available from many Firkin pubs, over
the counter, at zero cost). You also get advance notice of outings and beer
tastings, and information about brewery tours. Write to the Master Brewer
(address follows) for more information.
MASTER BREWER'S ADDRESS
This address is the one to write to for Firkin Crawl and Firkin Club
information.
Address: Master Brewer,
The Firkin Brewery,
Tamebridge House, Aldridge Road,
Perry Bar, Birmingham B42 2TZ
THE FIRKIN DIRECTORY
This is a list of all of the Firkin pubs that I have current information
for. As I can only personally evaluate Firkin pubs in London, reviews of
other Firkins are especially welcome. If you find any missed points, faults
or bones of contention, please email me. Asterisked pubs may not have opened
by the date of publication.
The first four fields for each pub are self-explanatory. The Transport field
lists Underground stations if the pub is in London, or British Rail stations
if with the suffix 'BR'. They are listed in increasing distance from the
pub, but check on train frequencies for the stations (for example, if you
want to get to the Fiddler, East Croydon BR is a mainline station with a
much higher frequency than the closer South Croydon BR). The house ales are
listed with Alcohol By Volume (ABV) figures where available. These may vary.
The T-shirt entry is the backprint; the front of the T-shirt is always the
pub's logo. The notes are mostly subjective.
Name: Faculty & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1995
Phone: 0121 359-4520
Address: Holt Street, Gosta Green
Birmingham B7 4BD
Notes: Large pub with a sizeable garden on the Aston University
campus.
Name: Falcon & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1986
Phone: 0181 985-0693
Address: 360 Victoria Park Road
London E9 7BT
Transport: Homerton BR, Hackney Wick BR, London Fields BR
House Ales: Hackney (3.6%), Falcon (4.3%)
T-shirt: "Falcon well buy me a Firkin pint" or
"I'm a Firkin half pint" (children's)
Notes: This is a large brewing pub, exporting beer to the Flower,
Fox, Frigate, Frog, Fusilier, Pheasant and doubtless many
others. It has a fully-featured children's room with a play
area. Live music some nights. It's also the furthest London
Firkin from frequent rail or tube connections.
Name: Fallow & Firkin
Est'd: 1994 or 1995
Address: 356 Harborne High Street,
Birmingham B17 9PU
Name: Falstaff & Firkin
Address: High Street,
Sutton Coalfield, Birmingham B72 1XS
Name: Fanfare & Firkin
Est'd: 1996
Phone: 0171 437-5559
Address: 38 Great Marlborough Street,
London W1V 1HA
Transport: Oxford Circus
House Ales: Wind (3.5%), Fanfare (4.3%), Hornblower (5.0%)
T-shirt: "Get on the end of a Fanfare, you can't Trumpet" or
"Get Wind of a Firkin good Hangover" or
"Had a Firkin great Blow Out at the Fanfare & Firkin" or
"I'm a Fan of Firkin Fare" or
"Let off some Wind at the Fanfare" or
"The Fanfare & Firkin: Putting the Wind up other Pubs"
Notes: Busy pub close to Oxford Circus. The bar faces the front
doors, which lead out onto a pedestrianised area at the north
end of Carnaby Street. There's plenty of drinking outside when
the weather's good, so there may be tables free inside. This
is a very tourist-oriented pub: the beermat just reads
"London" for a location.
Name: Farmhand & Firkin
Est'd: 1996
Address: Commercial Square,
Hereford HR1 2BS
Name: Farmyard & Firkin
Est'd: 1996
Address: Aylesbury,
Buckinghamshire
Transport: Marylebone, Edgware Road
House Ales: Haymaker (3.3%), Farmyard (4.7%), Old MacDonald's (5.0%)
Name: Farrier & Firkin
Est'd: 1993
Phone: 0171 262-1513
Address: 74-76 York St.
Marylebone, London W1H 1DP
Transport: Marylebone, Edgware Road
House Ales: Shoe Ale (3.5%), Farrier (4.3%)
T-shirt: "Hoofit down to the Farrier for a fine Firkin pint"
Notes: This is the best of the first post-takeover Firkin pubs. It's
not too large, is decorated well, and keeps its beer in very
good condition.
Name: Farrow & Firkin
Address: Hassel Street,
Newcastle, Staffordshire ST5 1AH
Name: Faucet & Firkin
Est'd: 1996
Address: Church Street,
Reigate RH2
Name: Faun & Firkin
Est'd: 1996
Address: 18 Bear Street,
London W1
Transport: Leicester Square
House Ales: Infert Ale (3.4%), Faun Ale (4.3%), Horn (5.0%)
T-shirt: "I'm a Firkin Myth"
Notes: A small front-to-back pub tucked away off the north-east
corner of Leicester Square.
Name: Fawn & Firkin
Address: Leek Road,
Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2AR
Name: Feast & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1994
Phone: 0113 245-3669
Address: 229 Woodhouse Lane,
Leeds LS2 3AP
Notes: A converted old library, with occasional live music. Info
supplied by Gareth Freemantle.
Name: Featherie & Firkin
Est'd: 1995
Address: 5 Alexandra Place,
St.Andrews, Fife KY16 9XD
Transport: Leuchars BR, then bus or taxi
Notes: On the site of Kate Kennedy's, at the west end of Market
Street. Close to the bus station.
Name: Fedora & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1996
Phone: 01582 20427
Address: Chapel Street,
Luton, Bedfordshire LU1 2SE
Name: Feline & Firkin
Est'd: 1995
Address: 9 Princess Street,
Wolverhampton WV1 1HW
Name: Felix & Firkin
Est'd: 1996
Phone: 0181 449-0099
Address: 31 High Street,
Barnet, Hertfordshire EN5 5UW
Notes: A friendly pub with lots of cat-oriented memorabilia. Opened
in December '96. Information from David Coen.
Name: Feller & Firkin
Address: Erdington High Street,
Birmingham B23 6SJ
Name: Fellow & Firkin
Address: 76 Franchise Street,
Perry Barr, Birmingham B4
Name: Felon & Firkin
Est'd: 1995
Address: 26 George Street,
Leeds LS1 3DL
Name: Felons & Firkin
Est'd: 1996
Address: High Street, Knowle,
West Midlands B93 0LY
Name: Ferret & Firkin in the Balloon up the Creek (brewpub)
Est'd: 1983
Phone: 0171 352-6645
Address: 114 Lots Road,
London SW10 0RJ
Transport: Fulham Broadway
House Ales: Balloonastic Ale (3.4%), FerreT'Ale (4.3%)
T-shirt: "Every Firkin Ferret ale has a hoppy ending!" or
"I'm a Firkin Balloonatic"
Notes: A brewing pub with the full name "The Ferret & Firkin in the
Balloon up the Creek", at one time the longest pub name in the
UK. Views of the brewery are available by means of an
ingenious mirror. A nice place when it isn't too crowded, but
it does fill up when there's live music.
Name: Fettler & Firkin
Est'd: 1994
Phone: 0171 723-5918
Address: 15 Chilworth St.
Paddington, W2 3QU
Transport: Paddington
House Ales: Rail Ale (3.5%), Fettler (4.3%)
Notes: Similar to the Fulmar & Firkin, but only about 2/3 the size.
The decor is better, though, almost as good as the Farrier's
horseshoes and wagon wheels.
Name: Fettlers & Firkin
Est'd: 1996
Address: 10 Bond Street,
Nuneaton, Warks CV11 4BX
Name: Fez & Firkin
Est'd: 1996
Phone: (possibly 0118 957-6930)
Address: London Road,
Reading
Notes: Formerly the Turk's Head. This pub seems to have kept a lot of
the "feel" of its predecessor. Information from David
Stevenson.
Name: Fiddler & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1993
Phone: 0181 680-9728
Address: 14, South End
Croydon, Surrey CR0 1DL
Transport: South Croydon BR, East Croydon BR, West Croydon BR
House Ales: Shell Ale (3.5%), Fiddler (4.0%)
T-shirt: "Don't Crab my Shell, get your own Firkin Beer"
Notes: A roomy brewpub crawling with Fiddler crabs. Hosts an
occasional beer festival of its own, with about 40 ales on
offer.
Name: Fiddler & Firkin, Netherlands (brewpub)
Est'd: 1996
Address: Riviervismarkt,
Den Haag (The Hague), Netherlands
House Ales: Fiddler (4.3%), plus a White Beer
Notes: Pub on two floors, built on the site of "Servaas," which used
to be a music shop. Not a crab in sight. Beer is brewed on
site with ingredients imported from the UK. At least two
special beers have been brewed already (Church Ale and a
ginger beer). Information from Eric Zaat.
Name: Fielder & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1994
Phone: 0181 642-9018
Address: 346 Sutton High Street,
Sutton, Gtr. London SM1 1PR
Transport: Sutton BR
House Ales: Maiden (3.6%), Fielder (4.3%)
T-shirt: "I'm Stumped without a Firkin Pint"
Notes: A roomy, friendly pub, based on cricketing themes. A fair
distance from Sutton station. Keeps its excellent beers in
casks. Check for special brews.
Name: Fieldmouse & Firkin at the Fighting Cocks (brewpub)
Est'd: 1995
Phone: 0121 449-0811
Address: St.Mary's Row,
Mosley, Birmingham B13 8HW
Name: Filly & Firkin
Est'd: 1994
Address: Mansfield Road,
Nottingham NG1 3JA
Name: Finch & Firkin (brewpub)
Phone: 0151 733-2403
Address: 467 Smithdown Road
Liverpool L15 5AF
Name: Financier & Firkin
Est'd: 1995
Phone: 0181 974-8223
Address: 43, Market Place, Kingston-upon-Thames
Surrey KT1 1JQ
Transport: Kingston BR or bus services
House Ales: Overdraught (3.5%), Financier (4.3%)
Notes: Medium-sized pub arranged around an L-shaped bar. There's a
snug in the corner (next to the pinball machine...) The pub is
much closer to Kingston Fairfield bus station than the rail
station.
Name: Finnock & Firkin
Est'd: 1994
Phone: 0171 226-3467
Address: 100 Upper St.
London, N1 0NP
Transport: Angel, Highbury & Islington
House Ales: Angel (3.5%), Finnock (4.3%)
T-shirt: "Finnocks my Firkin pint over, I'll Fillet Him"
Notes: A nice split-level pub with a quiet(er) upper deck.
Name: Firefly & Firkin
Est'd: 1995
Phone: 01202 293569
Address: 35 Holdenhurst Road,
Bornemouth BH8 8AD
Name: Fish & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1995
Address: 53 Alexandra Street,
Southend-on-Sea SS2 6ES
House Ales: Fish Ale (3.5%), Whale Ale (4.3%)
Notes: Very large pub which stores its own beer in tanks. Information
from Alan McLeod.
Name: Fisherman & Firkin
Address: 400 Oystermouth Road,
Swansea SA1 3UZ
Name: Fitchet & Firkin
Address: 2 Commercial Street,
Northampton NN1 1PJ
T-shirt: "Are you Fitchin' for some Firkin Pole Cat"
Name: Fitchew & Firkin
Address: 28 Sheep Street,
Rugby CV21 3BU
Name: Fizgig & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1995
Phone: 01392 437667
Address: St. Anne's Well, Lower North Street,
Exeter EX4 3ET
Name: Flamingo & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1990
Phone: 01332 45948
Address: 1-7 Beckett Street,
Derby DE1 1HU
T-shirt: "Flamin'go buy me a Firkin Pint"
Name: Flanker & Firkin
Est'd: 1994
Address: Greyfriars Lane,
Coventry CV1 2GY
Name: Flapper & Firkin
Est'd: 1994
Address: Cambrian Wharf, Kingston Row,
Birmingham B1 2NU
House Ales: Duck (presumably)
T-shirt: "Don't get in a Firkin Flap, get me a Pint of Duck"
Name: Flautist & Firkin
Est'd: 1994
Phone: 0181 981-0620
Address: 588 Mile End Road
London E3 4PH
Transport: Mile End, Bow Road
House Ales: Whistle (3.5%), Flute (4.3%)
Notes: A medium-sized, warm pub with a long bar. Good decorations,
with lots of brass. Very close to Mile End station.
Name: Flea & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1990
Phone: 0161 274-3682
Address: 137 Grosvenor Street
Manchester M1 7DZ
T-shirt: "I'm Itching for a Firkin Pint"
Name: Fledgling & Firkin
Est'd: 1996
Address: 15-17 Parliament Square,
Hertford SG14 1EX
T-shirt: "Serve me next, I'm spitting Firkin Feathers"
Name: Fleece & Firkin
Est'd: 1996
Address: 12 St.Thomas Street,
Bristol BS1 6JJ
House Ales: Sheep Dip (3.5%), Fleece (4.3%), Ram (5.0%)
Name: Flicker & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1994
Phone: 0181 332-7807
Address: Dukes Yard, 1 Duke Street,
Richmond, Surrey TW9 1HP
Transport: Richmond
House Ales: Pecker (3.5%), Flicker (4.3%)
Notes: This brewing pub is the least proletarian of all the Firkin
pubs I've visited. The beer is expensive, but fairly good.
Name: Flintlock & Firkin
Est'd: 1996
Address: Tottenham Court Road,
London W1
Transport: Warren Street, Goodge Street
House Ales: Ballshot (3.5%), Flintlock (4.3%), Cocked-Ale (5.0%)
Notes: Crowded corner pub on two levels, full of slogans. Tackier
than the Friar or the Flyman, its closest Firkin neighbours.
On Fridays, it has a music license to 1am, so it's packed to
standing (and then some).
Name: Flock & Firkin
Est'd: 1995
Address: 4 Birmingham Road
Walsall, WS1 2NA
Notes: Conversion from the Wheatsheaf. There's a stage downstairs,
and a function room upstairs.
Name: Floozy & Firkin
Est'd: 1996
Address: 743 Chesterfield Road, Woodseat,
Sheffield, S8 0SL
Name: Florikan & Firkin
Est'd: 1994 or 1995
Address: 4-6 North Street,
Bedminster, Bristol BS3 1HT
Name: Flounder & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1985
Phone: 0171 609-9574
Address: 54 Holloway Road
London N7 8JL
Transport: Highbury & Islington, Holloway Road
House Ales: Fish T'Ale (3.6%), Whale (4.3%)
T-shirt: "I've Flounder great Plaice for a Firkin Pint"
Notes: An excellent brewing pub, with the brewery visible through
portholes in the floor. Recently refurbished. Popular, as
well, and even though they don't usually have live music, it
manages to get crowded on Saturdays.
Name: Flower & Firkin
Est'd: 1991
Phone: 0181 332-1162
Address: Kew Gardens Station
Kew, Surrey TW9 3PZ
Transport: Kew Gardens BR (pub is at station)
House Ales: Rail Ale (3.7%), Cactus Ale (4.0%)
T-shirt: "If Flower you I'd buy me a Firkin pint"
Notes: The pub has a bar area and a "conservatory", also a loud
jukebox. There are a few tables outside, next to the station
entrance. Formerly a pub called the Pig & Parrot.
Name: Fly & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1995
Phone: 01642 244792
Address: 18 Southfield Road,
Middlesborough, N.Yorkshire TS1 3BZ
Name: Flyer & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1996
Address: 53 Blagrave Street,
Reading, Berkshire RG1 1PW
Name: Flyhalf & Firkin
Est'd: 1995
Address: West Gate Street,
Cardiff CF1 1LJ
House Ales: Tackle, Hooker, Fly Ale
Notes: Reviewed by Brian Glover in the September 1995 "What's
Brewing". The article was entitled "Where's the Firkin
Brewery?"
Name: Flyman & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1995
Phone: 0171 240-7109
Address: 166-170 Shaftesbury Avenue,
London WC2H 8JB
Transport: Tottenham Court Road, Leicester Square, Covent Garden
House Ales: Critic'Ale (3.5%), Flyman Ale (4.3%)
T-shirt: "Buddy, Oliver 'Nother Pint of Firkin Ale, or I'm Curtain to
get Les Miserables"
Notes: A bright, medium-to-large pub with posibly the Firkin most
expensive prices in the chain. Loud, but convenient for Oxford
Street.
Name: Foal & Firkin
Address: Moreledge,
Derby DE1 2TD
Name: Fog & Firkin
Est'd: 1995
Address: Sandgate,
Newcastle NE1 2NG
House Ales: Wrecker (3.8%), Fog (4.5%)
Notes: Roomy conversion of what used to be the Barleymow. Excellent
interior, with a balcony overlooking the Tyne. Close to 21
Queen Street, the AA Restaurant of the Year 1995. Info
supplied by Timothy Moss.
Name: Font & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1995
Phone: 01273 474-727
Address: The Lanes, Union Street,
Brighton, E.Sussex BN1 1HB
T-shirt: "Every Firkin Evening Ends with a Hoppy Ending"
Name: Fool & Firkin
Est'd: 1994
Address: 12 Gaskin Street,
Plymouth, Devon PL4 8DQ
House Ales: Fool Ale, Jester
Name: Footbridge & Firkin
Est'd: 1996
Address: 66 The Mall, Clifton,
Bristol BS8 4JG
Name: Footlights & Firkin
Est'd: 1995
Address: 7 Spittal Street,
Edinburgh EH3 9DY
Name: Forger & Firkin
Est'd: 1994
Phone: 01483 578-994
Address: Woodbridge Road,
Guildford, Surrey GH1 4RF
Name: Fornax & Firkin
Est'd: 1996
Address: Northolt Road,
South Harrow, Middlesex HA2 0NG
Name: Forrester & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1994
Phone: 01785 223-742
Address: 3 Eastgate Street,
Stafford ST16 2NQ
Name: Fort & Firkin
Est'd: 1995
Phone: 01753 869897
Address: The Promenade,
Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1QX
Name: Founder & Firkin
Address: Newall Street,
Hanley ST1 5HQ
Name: Foundry & Firkin (brewpub)
Phone: 0114 275-7805
Address: 240 West Street,
Sheffield, South Yorkshire S1 4EU
Transport: West Street (tram)
House Ales: Stocker (3.5%), Foundry (4.0%)
Notes: Check your pint for full measure. Info from Nigel R. Croft.
Name: Fourpence & Firkin
Address: 16 Loseby Lane,
Leicester LE1 5DR
Name: Fowl & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1994
Phone: 01203 221622
Address: 1-2 The Butts,
Coventry, West Midlands CV1 3GR
Name: Fox & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1980
Phone: 0181 690-8925
Address: 316 Lewisham High Street
London SE13 3HL
Transport: Ladywell BR, Lewisham BR, Catford BR
House Ales: Ladywell (3.5%), Fox Ale (4.0%)
T-shirt: "For Fox sake buy me a Firkin pint" or
"I don't give two Fox for any other Firkin pub"
Notes: A large pub, which brews special and seasonal ales for the
other Firkin pubs. The interior is well done, and the brewery
is easily visible through large windows. There's also a small
beer garden at the back. Ladywell BR is very convenient, but
the trains are not frequent.
Name: Fraternity & Firkin
Est'd: 1996
Address: The Parade, Oadby,
Leicester LE2 5BB
Name: Freebooter & Firkin
Address: Mutley Plain,
Plymouth, Devon PL4 6ES
Name: Freedom & Firkin
Est'd: 1995
Phone: 0181 672-5794
Address: 196 Tooting High St.
London SW17 0SF
Transport: Tooting Broadway
House Ales: Citizen (3.5%), Freedom (4.3%)
Notes: Used to be called the Tooting Tavern. The old sign has been
preserved as part of the new logo, and the interior has
Tooting Popular Front memorabilia amongst the standard
brewerania. One of the better recent Firkins.
Name: Fresher & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1995
Phone: 01223 324325
Address: 16 Chesterton Road,
Cambridge CB4 3AX
Name: Friar & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1992
Phone: 0171 387-2419
Address: 120 Euston Road
London NW1 2AL
Transport: Euston, King's Cross, Euston Square
House Ales: Confession'l (3.5%), Friar (4.3%)
T-shirt: "I was just passing by and I got into the Firkin habit"
Notes: The Friar is situated halfway between Euston and King's Cross
stations, and closes for a while on Saturday afternoons
because of football fans. It has recently been expanded, and
has twice its old floor space, as well as a longer bar. Keeps
its beer in tanks.
Name: Friesian & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1992
Phone: 0171 622-4666
Address: 87 Rectory Grove,
London SW4 0DR
Transport: Clapham Common
House Ales: Udder Ale
T-shirt: "I'll Heifer N'Udder Pint" or
"For a good Firkin tale, my bull slips into the Friesian" or
"It's Friesian outside, you start to shudder, so Jump the
Herd, and Heifer Firkin Udder"
Notes: A large, often crowded pub which caters mainly to younger
people. There is a raised flooring section at the back; the
rest of the lounge faces the shiny bar.
Name: Frigate & Firkin
Est'd: 1989
Phone: 0171 602-1412
Address: 24 Blythe Road
London W14
Transport: Kensington Olympia (when open), Barons Court, West Kensington
House Ales: Wingspan (3.5%), Frigate (4.3%)
T-shirt: "Don't Frigate to buy me a Firkin Pint"
Notes: A small Firkin pub hidden away behind the Olympia exhibition
halls. Useful for lunchtime breaks at the GBBF!
Name: Fringe & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1996
Address: Shepherd's Bush Green,
London
Transport: Goldhawk Road, Shepherd's Bush (H&C)
House Ales: Luvvy Ale (3.5%), Fringe (4.3%), Shakes'Beer (5.0%)
T-shirt: "A Pint, a Pint, my Kingdom for a Pint" or
"I Came, I Saw, I Conquered at the Fringe" or
"My Oscar went Firkin Wild at the Fringe" or
"If you want to Binge, get down to the Fringe"
Notes: A large brewpub on the site of the Bush Theatre, at the
south-west corner of Shepherd's Bush Green. The drinking area
sprawls around the bar, and you can see the glassed-in brewery
behind that. One end of the lounge is devoted to games,
including giant versions of Connect 4 and Jenga. It probably
uses tanks for the house ales.
Name: Frog & Firkin
Est'd: 1981, moved in 1995
Phone: 0171 229-5663
Address: 96, Ladbroke Grove
London W11 1PY
House Ales: Tadpole (3.5%), Frog (4.3%)
T-shirt: "Frog od's sake buy me a Firkin pint"
Notes: Converted from "The Elgin", a Taylor Walker pub. Most of the
original glass has been retained, but it looks odd under the
bright Firkin lighting. Despite the added brewerania, it lacks
the character of the old Frog & Firkin. Also, there's no dog
bolted to the ceiling.
Name: Fruit & Firkin
Est'd: 1996
Address: Station Road, Bracknell
Berkshire RG12
Transport: Bracknell BR
House Ales: Fruit Ale, Passion Ale, Cherry Ale
Notes: Formerly the Market Inn. Live music (Thursday and Saturday),
Quiz night on Sunday. Information from Morgan Boniface.
Name: Fugitive & Firkin
Est'd: 1996
Address: 12-14 Wensum Street,
Norwich NR3 1HY
Name: Fullback & Firkin
Est'd: 1996
Address: 44 Oxford Street,
Leicester LE1 5XW
Name: Fulmar & Firkin
Est'd: 1993
Phone: 0171 405-0590
Address: 51 Parker St.
Holborn, London WC2B 5PS
Transport: Holborn
House Ales: Wingspan, Fulmar
T-shirt: "Fulmar me up with a Firkin pint"
Notes: A medium-sized non-brewing pub in Central London. It's usually
quiet until the rush hour, when it fills up with
lager-drinking city types. Occasional comedy nights.
Name: Fusilier & Firkin
Est'd: 1992
Phone: 0171 485 7858
Address: 7-8 Chalk Farm Road
London NW1 2AL
Transport: Camden Town, Chalk Farm
House Ales: Musket (3.6%), Fusilier (4.3%)
T-shirt: "If your Gunner drink Firkin Ale you Musket Firkin Legless" or
"One shot of Firkin Ale and you'll never re'Fusilier another"
Notes: A roomy pub, packed when there's music, at Camden Lock.
Name: Fuzz & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1996
Phone: 01705 294353
Address: Albert Road, Southsea
Portsmouth, Hampshire PO5 2SH
House Ales: Fuzz Ale, Jay Ale, Crimin Ale, Cuffed Ale, Truncheon Stout
Name: Fuzzock & Firkin
Est'd: 1994
Address: 203 Welford Road,
Leicester LE2 6DH
Name: Goose & Firkin
Est'd: 1979
Phone: 0171 403-3590
Address: 47-48 Borough Road
London SE1 1DR
Transport: Elephant & Castle, Borough
T-shirt: "I Gandered in the Goose and got Firkin Quackered"
Notes: The original Firkin pub. No longer brews its own ales,
unfortunately. There's a big blackboard above the bar with the
logos of some of the other Firkin pubs in coloured chalk.
Name: Phantom & Firkin (Brewpub)
Est'd: 1994
Phone: 01509 263226
Address: Leicester Road,
Loughborough, Leics. LE11 2AG
Name: Pharoah & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1994
Phone: 0171 731-0732
Address: 90-90A Fulham High Street,
London SW6 3LJ
Transport: Putney Bridge
House Ales: Cam'Ale (3.5%), Pharoah (4.3%)
T-shirt: "Pharaoh Own Sake buy me a Firkin Pint"
Notes: Big, split-level conversion of some old pool halls. One of the
largest London Firkins, bigger than the Falcon. Packed and
very noisy in the evenings.
Name: Pheasant & Firkin
Est'd: 1981
Phone: 0171 253-7429
Address: 166 Goswell Road
London EC1 7DT
Transport: Angel, Barbican
House Ales: Plucker, Pheasant
T-shirt: "I'm a Firkin Pheasant Plucker"
Notes: A one-chandelier pub with very interesting decorations. Quiet
and cosy, this proud Bruce-era pub contrasts with some of the
more recent additions to the chain.
Name: Philanderer & Firkin
Est'd: 1995
Phone: 01865 54502
Address: Walton Street,
Oxford OX2 6AE
Transport: Oxford BR
Name: Philanthropist & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1994
Phone: 01727 847021
Address: 11-13 Victoria Street
St.Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 3JJ
House Ales: Librarian, Bookworm
T-shirt: "I'm no philanthropist, get your own Firkin Pint" or
"Don't Rome Around, Get Firkin Legless" or
"Pist, I'm Firkin Legless"
Name: Philosopher & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1995
Phone: 01865 244386
Address: 288 Cowley Road,
Oxford OX4 1UR
Transport: Bus from central Oxford / Oxford BR
House Ales: Thesis (3.5%), Philospoher (4.3%), Nostradamus (5.0%)
T-shirt: "Firkin Philosophers do it in the Mind" or
"Rene Descartes was a Drunken Fart, I Drink Therefore I Am"
Notes: Mid-sized pub with a long bar. Its house ale (Philosopher) is
darker and maltier than the usual Firkin Best, closer to a
Scottish 80/-. The "Nostradamus" seems to be a stronger
version of "Beltane," and is thinner than the other Firkin
brews.
Name: Phizog & Firkin
Est'd: 1996
Address: Stow Hill,
Newport, Gwent NP9 4ED
Name: Phoenix & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1984
Phone: 0171 701-8282
Address: 5 Windsor Walk
London SE5 8BB
Transport: Denmark Hill BR (pub is at station), New Cross Gate
House Ales: Rail (3.7%), Phoenix (4.0%)
T-shirt: "Phoenix my Firkin pint, I'll thump him"
Notes: Winner of the Evening Standard Pub of the Year, 1993. It brews
its own, but you can't see the brewery. Possibly my favourite
Firkin pub. Trains to Denmark Hill BR leave Victoria every
half hour or so.
Name: Photographer & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1995
Phone: 0181 567-1140
Address: 23-25 Ealing High Street,
London W5
Transport: Ealing Broadway
House Ales: Lens (3.5%), Photographer (4.3%)
Notes: A large and sprawling pub sitting on a corner. There are lots
of nooks and corners, and the decor is based around Ealing
Studios. Hard to find seating inside -- only a few tables in
the main lounge. Beer is well kept in casks, but the house
ales sit in tanks for a short while before being racked.
Name: Physician & Firkin (brewpub)
Est'd: 1994
Phone: 0131 667-1816
Address: 58 Dalkeith Road,
Edinburgh, Lothian EH16 5AD
House Ales: Prescription (3.8%), Physician (4.5%)
T-shirt: "I got Anaesthetised at the Physician & Firkin"
Notes: The house ales are categorised as 70/- and 80/- respectively.
Decor typical of most modern Firkins. Info supplied by Jim
Darroch.
Name: Physio & Firkin
Est'd: 1994 or 1995
Address: 19 Ayleston Road,
Leicester LE2 7LG
T-shirt: "You'll Love the Head on my Firkin Muscle"
STANDARD FIRKIN FEATURES
The default decor for all of the pubs in the chain is a long bar, with a
woden rack for glasses held up by brass "H"s, and wooden pews and benches
for seating. Lighting is from brass chandeliers. Most pubs have a pinball
table, but a few have bar billiards instead.
Most have a small stage with an upright piano, but the primary use for the
latter is a drinks rest -- especially for visiting bands. The stage is
useful for sitting on as the pub fills up.
There's also a jukebox (the "Firkin Phonograph"): when no money has been put
in, it will "random play" from the albums displayed on the viewer. Another
essential is the mirror, bearing the pub logo. In the older pubs, this is
beautifully etched, but newer additions have the logo printed on in white.
FIRKIN FORAYS
There are two particularly appealing routes for Firkin pub crawls in London
at present: along the Hammersmith & City line, and a foot route in
Islington. They can be joined together to cover eight of the London pubs.
Eastern Footwalk: Start at the Flounder, walk east until you get to the
Highbury & Islington station, turn down Upper Street (to the south), and
walk along it until you get to the Finnock. You can take buses 43 or 279
there instead. Next, walk south to Goswell Road (or take the number 4 bus)
to the Pheasant. You can then go to the Barbican station, and do the H&C
Crawl.
Hammersmith & City line Crawl: Get to the Friar via Euston Square (from
Barbican if you did the Footwalk), then visit the Farrier from the Edgware
Road station. Take the train to Paddington to drink in the Fettler, and
continue to the new Frog at Ladbroke Grove. The final stop is the Fringe at
Shepherd's Bush, via Goldhawk Road station.
There are many other possible routes between Firkin pubs, and the most
appealing include a Birmingham crawl, and a route which includes all of the
South London Firkins. Email me with any suggestions, please.
THE HEDGEHOG & HOGSHEAD PUBS
After selling the Firkin chain, David Bruce founded the Hedgehog & Hogshead
pubs, of which there are now seven. These carried on the original Firkin
tradition for a time, but he has recently struck a deal with Grosvenor Inns.
See the review of the pub at Highbury & Islington for details of the new
style. Brews which were served at the older pubs were Hogbolter (5.8%), as
well as house ales. Prickletickler (7.3%) and Slay Bells (8.0%) were winter
and Christmas brews. The pre-takeover pubs are listed first:
Name: Hedgehog & Hogshead
Phone: 0273 733660
Address: 100 Goldstone Villas
Hove, East Sussex BN3 3RX
House Ales: Brighton Breezy Bitter (4.3%)
Name: Hedgehog & Hogshead
Phone: 0703 581124
Address: 163 University Road, Highfield
Southampton, Hants SO2 1TS
House Ales: Belcher's Best Bitter (4.3%), Bob's Bootleg Bitter (5.2%)
T-shirt: "Hogswill do anything for a pint of Belcher's, there Snout
Better"
Name: Water Rat
Address: Marsh Benham (near Newbury)
Berkshire
Notes: Briefly mentioned in the Good Beer Guide, this is a
non-brewing pub owned by David Bruce.
Post-Takeover Hedgehog & Hogshead Pubs
Name: Hedgehog & Hogshead
Address: Highbury & Islington station,
London N7
Transport: Highbury & Islington
House Ales: Belcher's Best (4.2%), Bibi Bitter
Notes: An open-plan pub which has increased the number of ales it
offers to three. It's worth visiting if you're going to the
Flounder as well. There's a nightclub downstairs.
Name: Hedgehog & Hogshead
Address: Sutton Station,
London SM1
Transport: Sutton BR
Notes: A standard long bar with an open area in front of it, but also
a quieter raised seating area. The bar, brewery and
decorations are similar to its sister at Highbury & Islington.
Beer range unknown.
EX-FIRKIN PUBS
These are Firkin pubs that have closed down, and one that has separated from
the chain (perhaps during one of the takeovers). All have names that are
being re-used for the newer pub openings.
Name: Flamingo & Firkin (Kingston-upon-Thames) (brewpub)
Now known as the Flamingo Brewery Company
Phone: 0181 541-3717
Address: 88 London Road
Kingston-upon-Thames
Transport: Kingston BR
House Ales: Fairfield Bitter (3.4%), Royal Charter (4.2%), Coronation
(5.8%)
Notes: Closed as a Firkin pub, and was acquired by Saxon Inns (who
also own the Orange Brewery in Central London). The name has
changed, but little else. The house brews are emulations of
Firkin Bitter, Firkin Best and Dogolter, respectively.
Name: Fleece & Firkin (Bristol)
Address: Bristol
T-shirt: "If you want a good Flock, keep Mountain Sheep"
Notes: This pub is apparently still open, despite having separated
from the Firkin chain some time ago.
Name: Fuzzock & Firkin (London)
Est'd: 1987
Address: 77 Castle Road,
London NW1
T-shirt: "Donkey me waiting for a Firkin Pint Eeyore I might get
FuzzockAle!"
Notes: Now closed. The slogan may be recycled along with the name for
the new Fuzzock, in Leicester.
Name: Phantom & Firkin (London)
Est'd: 1987
Address: 140 Balaam Street
Plaistow, London E13
T-shirt: "I Spectre Firkin Ghoul Pint when I Ghost to the Phantom &
Firkin"
Notes: Now closed. The slogan may now be used at the new Phantom, in
Loughborough.
End of the Firkin Info-List v2.5
--
Sean Desmond
se...@mesklin.demon.co.uk
Ben Paquin
Firkin pubs are destroying the pub trade in England!!! By buying and
firkinizing of excellent and traditional pubs all over the country, the
unique character of regional pubs is disappearing. They are also serving
fair to poor ales in the pubs and causing the locals and micro's to lose
revenue from the closed pubs which did support them.
I am making a plea for all tourists and residents of the U.K to
boycott all Firkin pubs for the good of the pub trade and the
preservation of excellent real ales!
Cheers to those who boycott Firkin's
Nantko Schanssema
Ben Paquin <bpa...@cmhc-schl.gc.ca> wrote:
I will do no such thing. As a matter of fact, they recently opened a
pub in The Hague, The Netherlands, their first overseas branch, which
is for us a 100% increase. I love their beer, which is available only
there, so I will defenitely *not* boycott them here. When in England,
possibly so.
Regards,
Nantko
Opinions stated in this posting are strictly personal.
Email address patched to fool "unwanted ad"-bots. Remove
underscore for replies.
Gavin Scarman
Ben Paquin wrote:
>
> Firkin pubs are destroying the pub trade in England!!! By buying and
> firkinizing of excellent and traditional pubs all over the country, the
> unique character of regional pubs is disappearing. They are also serving
> fair to poor ales in the pubs and causing the locals and micro's to lose
> revenue from the closed pubs which did support them.
> I am making a plea for all tourists and residents of the U.K to
> boycott all Firkin pubs for the good of the pub trade and the
> preservation of excellent real ales!
> Cheers to those who boycott Firkin's
Tho I have never been to a Firkin pub I have been to many pubs
throughout Britain, and the thing that was a joy was the amount of
variation in beer sometimes just a few miles down the road.
Any company who is out to *replace* (rather than just compete with) this
wonderful variety, not matter how good or otherwise their beer, should
indeed be boycotted.
Britain will lose a huge part of it's tourist industry if these unique
smaller pubs close down.
--
-----------------------------------------------
Gavin Scarman http://www.satech.net.au/~scarman
mailto:sca...@satech.net.au
-----------------------------------------------
Don Scheidt
Gavin Scarman <"scarman"@satech.net.,au> wrote:
>Ben Paquin wrote:
>>
>> Firkin pubs are destroying the pub trade in England!!! By buying and
>> firkinizing of excellent and traditional pubs all over the country, the
>> unique character of regional pubs is disappearing. They are also serving
>> fair to poor ales in the pubs and causing the locals and micro's to lose
>> revenue from the closed pubs which did support them.
>> I am making a plea for all tourists and residents of the U.K to
>> boycott all Firkin pubs for the good of the pub trade and the
>> preservation of excellent real ales!
>Tho I have never been to a Firkin pub I have been to many pubs
>throughout Britain, and the thing that was a joy was the amount of
>variation in beer sometimes just a few miles down the road.
>Any company who is out to *replace* (rather than just compete with) this
>wonderful variety, not matter how good or otherwise their beer, should
>indeed be boycotted.
Most (all?) Firkin pubs have a reasonably well-kept guest ale on tap,
maybe even more than one. No surprises if the guests are Bass and
Wadworth 6X, but the Firkins, in and of themselves, are hardly responsible
for the demise of smaller brewers in the UK. There are a lot more
factors at work than that, especially considering the stranglehold that
the Big Three (remember when there were six?) have on a big share of
the market.
--
Don Scheidt, dgs...@teleport.com
also at: dgs...@cyberspace.com
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Ben Paquin
> Most (all?) Firkin pubs have a reasonably well-kept guest ale on tap,
> maybe even more than one. No surprises if the guests are Bass and
> Wadworth 6X, but the Firkins, in and of themselves, are hardly responsible
> for the demise of smaller brewers in the UK. There are a lot more
> factors at work than that, especially considering the stranglehold that
> the Big Three (remember when there were six?) have on a big share of
> the market.
> --
>
> Don Scheidt,
Firkin pubs are not the sole reason. Excessive beer duty, which is much higher
than the rest of Europe, has increased the cost of a pint enormously. This has also
increased the amount of beer being smuggled into England, especially in the south.
However, the issue about regional variety and local breweries being adversely affected
is greatly at risk because of the 'Firkinization' of pubs. And again I plea to all U.K.
residents and tourists to ban Firkin pubs and support your local pub and brewery where
the ale is better and cheaper.
Cheers
I look forward to your response on this issue Don.
Kevin Cowdell
In article <5bdsb5$h...@news.istar.ca>, Ben Paquin
<bpa...@cmhc-schl.gc.ca> writes
>Firkin pubs are destroying the pub trade in England!!! By buying
>and
>firkinizing of excellent and traditional pubs all over the country, the
>unique character of regional pubs is disappearing. They are also
>serving
> fair to poor ales in the pubs and causing the locals and micro's to lose
>revenue from the closed pubs which did support them.
> I am making a plea for all tourists and residents of the U.K to
>boycott all Firkin pubs for the good of the pub trade and the
>preservation of excellent real ales!
>
The local "Florikan and Firkin" is one of the best pubs in the South
Bristol area. They serve an excellent pint of beer that is very fresh
and the landlord takes a pride in his cellar. The winter warmer
Mistlet'ale is a very tasty pint, well worth trying. I would recommend
it to anyone. I wonder what your real problem is?
--
Kevin Cowdell
Toby
> >> firkinizing of excellent and traditional pubs all over the country, the
> >> unique character of regional pubs is disappearing. They are also serving
> >> fair to poor ales in the pubs and causing the locals and micro's to lose
> >> revenue from the closed pubs which did support them.
> >> I am making a plea for all tourists and residents of the U.K to
> >> boycott all Firkin pubs for the good of the pub trade and the
> >> preservation of excellent real ales!
>
> >throughout Britain, and the thing that was a joy was the amount of
> >variation in beer sometimes just a few miles down the road.
>
> >Any company who is out to *replace* (rather than just compete with) this
> >wonderful variety, not matter how good or otherwise their beer, should
> >indeed be boycotted.
>
> maybe even more than one. No surprises if the guests are Bass and
> Wadworth 6X, but the Firkins, in and of themselves, are hardly responsible
> for the demise of smaller brewers in the UK. There are a lot more
> factors at work than that, especially considering the stranglehold that
> the Big Three (remember when there were six?) have on a big share of
> the market.
> --
>
I harbour similar mistrust of Firkin pubs - mostly because of their
ridiculous "comedy" use of the word firkin.
However, in their defence, they serve some reasonable bitters and the
pubs they do up are huge barn like places that belonged to Taylor Walker
rather than small 'local' pubs which are the ones that give the UK its
intriguing blend of pub culture.
Toby
Don Scheidt
Ben Paquin <bpa...@cmhc-schl.gc.ca> wrote:
> Don Scheidt wrote:
>> Most (all?) Firkin pubs have a reasonably well-kept guest ale on tap,
>> maybe even more than one. No surprises if the guests are Bass and
>> Wadworth 6X, but the Firkins, in and of themselves, are hardly responsible
>> for the demise of smaller brewers in the UK. There are a lot more
>> factors at work than that, especially considering the stranglehold that
>> the Big Three (remember when there were six?) have on a big share of
>> the market.
> Firkin pubs are not the sole reason. Excessive beer duty, which is much higher
>than the rest of Europe, has increased the cost of a pint enormously. This has also
>increased the amount of beer being smuggled into England, especially in the south.
>However, the issue about regional variety and local breweries being adversely affected
>is greatly at risk because of the 'Firkinization' of pubs. And again I plea to all U.K.
>residents and tourists to ban Firkin pubs and support your local pub and brewery where
>the ale is better and cheaper.
If by 'Firkinization' you mean reducing consumer choice, you might have a
point. However, if a Firkin pub opens in an area where most pubs are
serving Big Three beers - Scottish Courage, Bass Tetley, Whitbread - then
the Firkin chain has actually increased choice. And if the Firkin pub
also serves well-kept guest beers from other independent brewers, then
that would also help to support smaller brewers. Typically, the Firkin
chain hasn't shown much desire to shove aside the little guys; they're
taking over bigger pubs, ones with the capacity for a small brewery. So
if Firkin *adds* a brewery making reasonable beers, and puts on guest beers
from independent local breweries, wouldn't you have the best of both worlds?
Ben Paquin
> > Firkin pubs are not the sole reason. Excessive beer duty, which is much higher
> >than the rest of Europe, has increased the cost of a pint enormously. This has also
> >increased the amount of beer being smuggled into England, especially in the south.
> >However, the issue about regional variety and local breweries being adversely affected
> >is greatly at risk because of the 'Firkinization' of pubs. And again I plea to all U.K.
> >residents and tourists to ban Firkin pubs and support your local pub and brewery where
> >the ale is better and cheaper.
>
> If by 'Firkinization' you mean reducing consumer choice, you might have a
> point. However, if a Firkin pub opens in an area where most pubs are
> serving Big Three beers - Scottish Courage, Bass Tetley, Whitbread - then
> the Firkin chain has actually increased choice. And if the Firkin pub
> also serves well-kept guest beers from other independent brewers, then
> that would also help to support smaller brewers. Typically, the Firkin
> chain hasn't shown much desire to shove aside the little guys; they're
> taking over bigger pubs, ones with the capacity for a small brewery. So
> if Firkin *adds* a brewery making reasonable beers, and puts on guest beers
> from independent local breweries, wouldn't you have the best of both worlds?
> --
>
> Don Scheidt, dgs...@teleport.com
>
Absolutely not Don, you are still missing the point that every Firkin across Britain is
identical. Wheras a Manchester pubstyle is different than a Newcastle pub is different
than a Cornwall pub, Reading, Kent and on and on. All Firkin Pubs are the same and they
destroy the previous decor of the pub they took over. A pub is'nt just about beer. Its
also about atmosphere and in England its also about history. (where's Roger Protz when
you need him) But that is also my point. You would also be hard pressed to find an
area in England that did'nt have a local or micro brewery.
Cheers, Ben
Don Scheidt
Ben Paquin <bpa...@cmhc-schl.gc.ca> wrote:
> [Don Scheidt wrote:]
>> If by 'Firkinization' you mean reducing consumer choice, you might have a
>> point. However, if a Firkin pub opens in an area where most pubs are
>> serving Big Three beers - Scottish Courage, Bass Tetley, Whitbread - then
>> the Firkin chain has actually increased choice. And if the Firkin pub
>> also serves well-kept guest beers from other independent brewers, then
>> that would also help to support smaller brewers. Typically, the Firkin
>> chain hasn't shown much desire to shove aside the little guys; they're
>> taking over bigger pubs, ones with the capacity for a small brewery. So
>> if Firkin *adds* a brewery making reasonable beers, and puts on guest beers
>> from independent local breweries, wouldn't you have the best of both worlds?
>Absolutely not Don, you are still missing the point that every Firkin across Britain is
>identical. Wheras a Manchester pubstyle is different than a Newcastle pub is different
Identical? The Phoenix and Firkin (Denmark Hill, London, built from a
converted former BR station) is identical to the Friar and Firkin (near
Euston Station) is identical to the Flower and Firkin? About the only
thing these three (to take a representative sample) have in common is
that they all brew similar versions of Dogbolter. Otherwise, they all
have distinctive identities. They even have different guest beers on.
And yes, different pubs in different towns have their own styles; hell,
some of them have unique styles in different neighbourhoods. And a pub
in the north, serving a less-hopped beer with a good head from a
sparkler-equipped tap, just wouldn't fly serving a more highly-hopped
southern beer, which benefits from being served relatively still, with
very little head.
>than a Cornwall pub, Reading, Kent and on and on. All Firkin Pubs are the same and they
>destroy the previous decor of the pub they took over. A pub is'nt just about beer. Its
But the Firkin chain doesn't always take over old pubs; they have also
remodelled old buildings into new pubs, without displacing an existing
place. Given that CAMRA has rated at least a couple of the Firkin pubs
rather highly in the past, and that CAMRA are hardly pushovers for flashy
'new and improved' yuppie bars, I'd say that Firkin isn't quite the
bete noir you might perceive them to be.
>also about atmosphere and in England its also about history. (where's Roger Protz when
>you need him) But that is also my point. You would also be hard pressed to find an
>area in England that did'nt have a local or micro brewery.
Roger Protz has had a good thing or two to say about the Phoenix and
Firkin, among others. (Where are my old copies of Wotz Bruin when I
need 'em?) And history can mean a lot of things in England; the
Founders' Arms in London, for instance, is only about thirty or so
years old, but is quite well-regarded for all that, with well-kept
pints of Young's and a nice riverside location. If a 'gin palace'
from the Victorian era replaced a medieval boozer that had been
there before, does that mean the Victorian-era pub was a bad idea?
After all, there are plenty of 'traditional' pubs in the UK that
date from Victorian times, not that long ago in the sweep of British
history. I might not appreciate a Firkin pub displacing a fine old
place like Nottingham's Trip to Jerusalem or London's Ye Olde Cheshire
Cheese, but I'd be interested in knowing when the Firkin chain has
done the equivalent of that, as opposed to saving an old pub from the
wrecker's ball or from being taken over by a Big Three affiliate.
In some cases, the only thing needed to make a newly-opened Firkin
pub a proper local is time; it's certainly worked for a lot of other
places all over the UK.
If you're concerned that big companies are buying up fine old pubs and
making them all the same sort of place, you might be right, but I don't
think the Firkin chain are the worst exploiters in this regard; there
are plenty of other pub chains that tend to go for a lowest common
denominator, serving Webster's Bitter and keg Courage at all their
pubs. Now that's definitely not a good thing for small local brewers,
or the pubs that serve their beers.
Kevin Cowdell
In article <5c4ha2$g3s$1...@nadine.teleport.com>, Don
Scheidt <spam....@eatme.net> writes
in Bedminster Bristol. We have many Courage and Ushers but
not much else. Long live the Florikan and Firkin at least they
serve a drinkable pint.
--
Kevin Cowdell