Booze delivered to your door

Sometimes drunks just can’t face the world – but what to do if the liquor cabinet has run dry?

Step forward Aughton Wines of Formby, who are offering dipsos a delightful delivery service. What’s more, nearby takeaway Hippos will add food to your hooch hamper at keen prices.

Mentioning the Southport Drinker may or may not win a 2% booze discount. Hard to tell (when someone laughs at the suggestion) whether they are going for it or not.

Call 01704 872062.

Pour it again, Sam

Like em or loathe them, Cains keep coming up with good beers. There Wheat beer, available throughout July, is just the ticket for these balmy days.

The Guest House, meanwhile, have been having a run on brews from Allgates, including the excellent Casablanca beer.

When, oh when though will be beloved Young Pretender return with its citrus and pot goodness?

Carlton gone for good

The Carlton on Lord Street has always been a rubbish pub.

It’s been a Yates’s style drink factory, an awful Henry’s table, empty gay bar, rough house and rave grave. Whatever it’s been, it’s always been shite.

Now it’s being turned into a boutique hotel. Can’t feel sorry it’s gone. At least the hotel might have a decent bar.

Punk pub to be yuppie flats

Legendary punk pub The Royal Oak in Poulton has been sold and is to become luxury flats.

The pub was one of the few on the NW coast keeping a local punk scene alive, especially among younger types, and offered thirsty rockers pints and doubles for £2.

It had been closed for a short while but was supposed to be reopening – until the owners got a quick cash offer.

It just goes to show that even the recession won’t stop greedy developers from moving in on our vital ale houses.

If there’s any chance to reverse this decision – on community grounds maybe – let’s grab it.

Get walking, booze staff told

Diageo, makers of Johnny Walker and other big brands, are making huge profits despite the recession.

Yet they are using the excuse of the downturn to sack hundreds of staff.

When booze firms act like this, it means you cannot trust their products any more.

Story = http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/article2512419.ece

Mandy to decide future of pubs

Lord Mandelson must rule on whether the beer tie system – in which licencees have to buy their ale from a pub co owner – should be referred to the competition commission before July 15.

Not much chance the capitalist creep will rule in favour of the poor publicans, but at least Enterprise Inns have promised to cut the cost of their beer, up to £150 a barrel – a sop, so Mandy doesn’t look a complete bastard.

Will they go through with it? It’s probably hot air.

If the beer tie is abolished, this could be great news for drinkers and licencees, although perhaps the damage has already been done and the break ups of the pub cos could have unwanted consequences.

I went into a great pub with great choice of beer today and was the only customer. People just aren’t drinking.

Morrissey sued

Normally when a pub closes it is a black day. Neil Morrissey, however is yuppie scum, so I’m glad his attempts to turn an ale house once frequented by Dylan Thomas, the Three Mariners, into a gasto has ended in failure.

He’s now being sued for £250,000 by creditors. Pay up you slimy bastard.

Southport wine festival

Second annual Southport wine fest, organised by gentleman booze expert Dave Smith of Portland Wine takes place July 1-2 from 2-8.30pm at Southport Theatre.

£15 admission brings lots of free samples. Mention the Southport Drinker website at the door and get a free jute bag!

The Ship Inn – the truth

With debate raging about the new Ship Inn in Haskayne, I had to see it for myself.

First and foremost the beer situation is excellent. Four handpulls, two from the Southport Brewery, one from the George Wright in Rainhill and a mild that ran out just as I arrived.

All beers excellent with the Pipe Dream from GW just beating the SB offerings in a pleasurable play-off.

Otherwise, people were enjoying their grub, which is traditional compared to the high-priced but excellent food the pub served in its hey-day. Those I spoke to, were very happy with the fare and prices.

There was no sign of the overflowing ashtrays or grime that some have commented on, but I would say the staff are green.

It took three bartenders the same time to serve a phalanx of thirsty customers as, say, Mike at the Guest House by himself would have done, and done with style and conversation.

Training, training, training , is what these staff need and, yes, father’s day is busy but bar staff need a sense of proportion and lessons in how to crack a smile

The maid who served me took a request for a bottle of Coke for the missus (as opposed to horrid draft) as if I’d asked for a beer-bottle butt fuck.

Similarly, two orange cordials for the kids were handed over in half-pint glasses without straws, leading to my two year spilling juice all down her front.

All on all, the Ship is worth your attention for its brilliant beer, beautiful location, good children’s play area, decent food and super prices.

And £2.30 for top quality local cask? Need I say aymore?

Jake Thackray

Drunk this morning I did what I usually do and ordered a load of music from iTunes.

Included in the gems was Personal Column by Jake Thackery. If you haven’t heard of this very British comic philosopher, now’s the time to check him out.