Man your pumps, Wetherspoons are coming

cruhoortwunk · 17-12-2014 11:40PM

Idbatterim wrote: »

I think the brand loyalty is only down to ignorance though, many of my mates who were away on erasmus who would have been the usual bulmers or Heineken drinkers, are now no longer set on those drinks that they are home. As they were forced to try other drinks abroad... And realised A) what a rip off drink is here in pubs and that you acquire tastes for other drinks pretty quickly...

THat was what opened my eyes to the world of pale ales and IPAs, lived in Canada for a few years. Every decent sized town has it's own brewery, great selection in the off licenses too.

Lux23 · 18-12-2014 11:44AM

About a year ago, I would have laughed at craft beer enthusiasts, but now I can't stomach most lagers. I still don't think Guinness can be beaten though.

BaZmO* · 18-12-2014 11:46AM

Lux23 wrote: »

About a year ago, I would have laughed at craft beer enthusiasts, but now I can't stomach most lagers. I still don't think Guinness can be beaten though.

Give it time young Skywalker, give it time.

Lucena · 18-12-2014 11:58AM

Lux23 wrote: »

About a year ago, I would have laughed at craft beer enthusiasts, but now I can't stomach most lagers. I still don't think Guinness can be beaten though.

Guinness is grand as a beer. Personally I hate it for everything it represents (uniformisation of beers available, the hijacking of Irish identity, attempting to create their own national holiday) but I acknowledge it's a decent beer.

There are far better stouts out there though.

Geuze · 18-12-2014 01:33PM

A nice description of some pros and cons of JD WS pubs, with the author coming around to liking them:

http://petebrown.blogspot.ie/2014/12/why-j-d-wetherspoons-is-fast-becoming.html

Lux23 · 18-12-2014 02:03PM

BaZmO* wrote: »

Give it time young Skywalker, give it time.

I have tried a few, I just don't like many of the others. I think it is because they have mostly been bottled though. I now prefer an ale to stout though.

Ravelleman · 18-12-2014 02:09PM

Lux23 wrote: »

About a year ago, I would have laughed at craft beer enthusiasts, but now I can't stomach most lagers. I still don't think Guinness can be beaten though.

Why would you laugh at them?

Lovely Bloke · 18-12-2014 02:40PM

Ravelleman wrote: »

Why would you laugh at them?

probably our beards and tweed jackets, they are ridiculous after all.

And our pipes and really skinny jeans. them too

Trond · 18-12-2014 04:17PM

Poor Budweiser are really struggling at this stage!

Mesrine65 · 18-12-2014 08:16PM

Baldy Conscience wrote: »

probably our beards and tweed jackets, they are ridiculous after all.

And our pipes and really skinny jeans. them too

Krusty_Clown · 21-12-2014 11:37AM

Visited the 40 Foot on Friday evening. Admittedly one of the busiest pub days of the year, but they suffered the same issues as the 3TT, with nothing available on cask, and no idea what they had/did not have available on tap. Also it's obvious the bar staff are all trained from scratch, so it'll take a few weeks before they get up to speed. S'funny how you can spot those who take naturally to the profession, versus those who likely won't last too long (the single taskers).

Having said all that, it's a nice bar, nice decor, the locals like it and the staff will improve (and it won't always be as busy as it was on Friday). They had some nice surprises in the fridge, like Lagunitas IPA and Brú Dubh, which thankfully were in plentiful supply (as they're not on the menu and few people know what they are) and at prices typical of the local supermarket/off-license.

hawkwind23 · 21-12-2014 12:58PM

might call into spooneys on the way home from work later , can almost taste the "Angry Orchard" cider , tangggggg
if they serve it try it , one of the few where the marketing has a quality product behind it.
serve it in the local hipster bar , £4.95 a bottle , £2.49 in spoons.

baron von something · 21-12-2014 01:17PM

little write up in the indo today

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/wetherspoons-3-pints-spark-allout-pub-price-war-30852907.html

Buttercake · 21-12-2014 01:21PM

They'll have 100 bars throughout Eire by 2016

Chelon · 21-12-2014 03:50PM

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Visited the 40 Foot on Friday evening. Admittedly one of the busiest pub days of the year, but they suffered the same issues as the 3TT, with nothing available on cask, and no idea what they had/did not have available on tap. Also it's obvious the bar staff are all trained from scratch, so it'll take a few weeks before they get up to speed. S'funny how you can spot those who take naturally to the profession, versus those who likely won't last too long (the single taskers).

Nothing on cask? Really? Hard to believe in a Spoons.

Krusty_Clown · 21-12-2014 04:36PM

Chelon wrote: »

Nothing on cask? Really? Hard to believe in a Spoons.

Tried to order a number of their cask beers, and a number of their keg'ed draught beers and they had run out. I'd imagine that it was a demand issue, and they just didn't have anyone changing the kegs/casks. Also happened with a lot of the bottled brands. Seems to be a pattern with the two Wetherspoons pubs I've frequented. They did have Adnams Dry Hopped Larger on tap, which I thought was pretty good.

Lovely Bloke · 21-12-2014 08:07PM

Was in the Forty Foot last night, it was an absolute joke.

Staff have obviously no experience, one order at a time, meaning on a busy night it takes about half an hour to get a drink. Unacceptable really.

Then the shítshow that was the complete lack of beer.

No Revisionist Lager, no Tom Creans, ran out of Doom Bar, ran out of Kingfisher AND Tsingtao bottles, ran out of all cask ales at one stage in the upstairs bar, no Hobgoblin at all in the place.

Then to top it off, one of the bar man told my wife, in front of a table full of people, that the reason for the lack of beers was because Diageo had messed up the order.

Yes, Diageo.

I voiced my complaints to the extremely rude manager who was pretty much laughing in my face until I had to ask him to actually take me seriously.

The Dry Hopped lager is nice though, but it was absolutely freezing cold.

Dark Side stout is nice too, and I was surprised to see Bru Dubh stocked, the brewer told me they wouldn't be in JDW. Weird.

Hotblack Desiato · 21-12-2014 08:08PM

Buttercake wrote: »

They'll have 100 bars throughout Eire by 2016

Was it for this the wild geese spread
The grey wing upon every tide;
For this that all that blood was shed,
For this Edward Fitzgerald died,
And Robert Emmet and Wolfe Tone,
All that delirium of the brave?
Romantic Ireland’s dead and gone,
It’s with O’Leary in the grave.

This patriotic message has been brought to you by the Licensed Vintners' Association.

21-12-2014 08:16PM

Baldy Conscience wrote: »

Was in the Forty Foot last night, it was an absolute joke.

Staff have obviously no experience, one order at a time, meaning on a busy night it takes about half an hour to get a drink. Unacceptable really.

Then the shítshow that was the complete lack of beer.

No Revisionist Lager, no Tom Creans, ran out of Doom Bar, ran out of Kingfisher AND Tsingtao bottles, ran out of all cask ales at one stage in the upstairs bar, no Hobgoblin at all in the place.

Then to top it off, one of the bar man told my wife, in front of a table full of people, that the reason for the lack of beers was because Diageo had messed up the order.

Yes, Diageo.

I voiced my complaints to the extremely rude manager who was pretty much laughing in my face until I had to ask him to actually take me seriously.

The Dry Hopped lager is nice though, but it was absolutely freezing cold.

Dark Side stout is nice too, and I was surprised to see Bru Dubh stocked, the brewer told me they wouldn't be in JDW. Weird.

My friend got short changed a tenner there last night, I think it took about 10 mins of talking to the barman who I thought was being a bit cheeky and arrogant before he got his manager then another 5 mins or so before he got his money back.

Still had a good night there, I spent most of my time just shaking my head in disbelief at the prices

godtabh · 21-12-2014 08:18PM

Was there on Friday and just leaving now. Very inexperienced staff but I'm not going to complain. €2.50 a pint.

To many sensitive people here

Lovely Bloke · 21-12-2014 08:43PM

godtabh wrote: »

Was there on Friday and just leaving now. Very inexperienced staff but I'm not going to complain. €2.50 a pint.

To many sensitive people here

wait, what? Because pints are cheaper it's ok to have bad service? And to point out bad service is "sensitive"?

Cool attitude.

Krusty_Clown · 21-12-2014 09:01PM

godtabh wrote: »

Very inexperienced staff but I'm not going to complain.

You just complained about the inexperienced staff.. Ironic much?

Reputable Rog · 21-12-2014 10:46PM

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Tried to order a number of their cask beers, and a number of their keg'ed draught beers and they had run out. I'd imagine that it was a demand issue, and they just didn't have anyone changing the kegs/casks. Also happened with a lot of the bottled brands. Seems to be a pattern with the two Wetherspoons pubs I've frequented. They did have Adnams Dry Hopped Larger on tap, which I thought was pretty good.

Same in every Wetherspoons I've ever been in.
If it runs out it runs out, tough ****, they never change a barrel during a shift.
Was in The Bridge House in Belfast and they ran out of Guinness, that was it have something else.

L1011 · 21-12-2014 11:06PM

Reputable Rog wrote: »

Same in every Wetherspoons I've ever been in.
If it runs out it runs out, tough ****, they never change a barrel during a shift.
Was in The Bridge House in Belfast and they ran out of Guinness, that was it have something else.

I'm pretty sure that's not the case, or else certain branches (West Street in Brighton comes to mind) would have no drink at all by 10pm any weekend night.

More likely they won't change something that's slow moving till the next morning - even my local does that, if a keg goes in the last hour in the smoking area you're sent back inside for it.

Losty Dublin · 21-12-2014 11:14PM

L1011 wrote: »

More likely they won't change something that's slow moving till the next morning - even my local does that, if a keg goes in the last hour in the smoking area you're sent back inside for it.

I've seen barman in Irish pubs being sent off to local bars to borrow kegs or bottles on the odd occasion when things might run out. You'd think that they want to go the extra mile to keep the customers happy.

Though, can you see a local bar in Blackrock lend beer to Wetherspoons?

n97 mini · 22-12-2014 12:32AM

Hotblack Desiato wrote: »

Was it for this the wild geese spread
The grey wing upon every tide;
..
It’s with O’Leary in the grave.

This patriotic message has been brought to you by the Licensed Vintners' Association.

Whose members have been known to buy bottles of alcoholic beverages in those most patriotic of Irish institutions, Lidl and Aldi, for resale in their own offies.

n97 mini · 22-12-2014 12:35AM

Deleted User wrote: »

My friend got short changed a tenner there last night, I think it took about 10 mins of talking to the barman who I thought was being a bit cheeky and arrogant before he got his manager then another 5 mins or so before he got his money back.

It's quite a common scam in pubs for punters to claim they gave in 20 and got change of a tenner. How do I know this? I fell for it myself not long after I started a bar job.

StudentDad · 22-12-2014 01:06AM

I think the news of the imminent infestation of this wee republic with Wetherspoons is brilliant and not to be sniffed at.

If this chain can do for pubs what Lidl and Aldi have done for groceries etc all the better.

Now if only the good people in the dept. of finance would consider dumping VRT

SD

Chelon · 22-12-2014 01:15AM

Has anyone had any experience of a newly setup Spoons in the UK? Just wondering if all these teething problems are unique to Ireland.

cunnifferous · 22-12-2014 01:32AM

Baldy Conscience wrote: »

Was in the Forty Foot last night, it was an absolute joke.

Staff have obviously no experience, one order at a time, meaning on a busy night it takes about half an hour to get a drink. Unacceptable really.

Then the shítshow that was the complete lack of beer.

No Revisionist Lager, no Tom Creans, ran out of Doom Bar, ran out of Kingfisher AND Tsingtao bottles, ran out of all cask ales at one stage in the upstairs bar, no Hobgoblin at all in the place.

Then to top it off, one of the bar man told my wife, in front of a table full of people, that the reason for the lack of beers was because Diageo had messed up the order.

Yes, Diageo.

I voiced my complaints to the extremely rude manager who was pretty much laughing in my face until I had to ask him to actually take me seriously.

The Dry Hopped lager is nice though, but it was absolutely freezing cold.

Dark Side stout is nice too, and I was surprised to see Bru Dubh stocked, the brewer told me they wouldn't be in JDW. Weird.

Had exactly the same experience in the TTT when it first opened. Haven't been back since. The ignorance and the rudeness of the barstaff was unbelievable. No excuses for it really, Weatherspoons should have enough experience of running bars to be able to do the basics of having adequate stock and staff who don't act like moody teenagers.

Hopefully it's just growing pains because with their prices all they really have to do is the basics and they will do great business.

Man your pumps, Wetherspoons are coming

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