Cheap beer

Joined : 28 Dec 2006 Posts : 61

The Journal a couple of days ago had an article in about Spy Bar which was selling 500ml bottles of 4.7% Mexican Potro beer at 10p a throw. A spokesman was quoted as saying "I don't think we have been irresponsible at all. We were given two crates of the beer by the brewery and just wanted to get rid of it. If people are drinking too much alcohol it is their choice, it is not up to us"

This quotation (assuming it's correct of course) does the pub trade absolutely no good at all when it should be being pushed as the place where people can drink sensibly in a supervised and controlled environment.

Any thoughts?

Joined : 31 Dec 2006 Posts : 10

Ouseburner,

I agree with you 100%.

Below is the full article from Monday's Journal.

All this sort of "promotion" which by the way I believe is perfectly legal for now at least does in the minds of their critics is give all bars/pubs a bad name and in this particular case all because they merely virtually gave away two crates of beer.

Mind you it also of course gives Spy Bar a great deal of publicity for an absolutely minimal cost. It was after all given the beer for free to start with.

We are now even mentioning it here.

Something which I doubt very much would otherwise happen.

Although I can't believe that any members of this group will regularly frequent the place in any circumstances!

Unless any of you will admit otherwise?

Cheers,
John Holland.

"A NEWCASTLE bar was last night labelled "absolutely monstrous" for selling strong beer at 10p a bottle.

The Spy Bar, in Osborne Road, Jesmond, last week had an offer on Mexican Potro beer.

It was selling 500ml bottles of the 4.7% alcohol for just 10p.

Top liver specialist Dr Christopher Record, who works at Newcastle’s Freeman and Royal Victoria Infirmary hospitals, said the offer was “completely irresponsible”.

Jesmond residents and Northumbria police also condemned the offer.

But the bar denied being irresponsible and said it was up to individual customers how much they drank.

Dr Record said: “I think it is absolutely monstrous.

“It is completely irresponsible, one bottle of that beer contains 2.8 units of alcohol. They are charging the equivalent of 4p per unit.

“It appears that they are not concerned about the health consequences from what they are doing.”

Dr Record said he wanted to see the Government introduce regulations which would make it illegal for alcohol to be sold at less than 50p per unit.

Alan Grant, General Secretary of the Jesmond Residents Association, said: “It doesn’t matter why they are doing this, if it is a promotion or just to get rid of stock. People could be getting drunk for as little as 50p or £1. It is irresponsible.

“When these bars are getting their licences they have to promise they will act responsibly and be part of the community. In this case this bar is not doing that. It has caused a lot of concern with Jesmond residents.”

Northumbria police said they would speak to the management at the bar about the offer.

Supt Dave Wormald said: “We are committed to tackling alcohol-related disorder.

“The Chief Constable has made his opinion on discounted drinks, cheap deals and happy hours clear – they should be banned.

“He has also argued for a ban on the sale of alcopops and advertising of alcohol. However in addition to the role the police have to play, we also need a commitment from the retail and pub trade to take measures to help change the culture of binge drinking and the associated problems.

“My neighbourhood officers will be speaking to the management at this establishment to take the appropriate course of action to discourage them from offering such promotions.”

A spokesman for the Spy Bar said: “I don’t think we have been irresponsible at all. We were given two crates of the beer by the brewery and we just wanted to get rid of it. If people are drinking too much alcohol it is their choice, it is not up to us.”

Regional director of public health Dr Stephen Singleton said: “In our hearts we all know this isn’t right, even though we understand why bars do this kind of thing. We have to change the culture where cheap alcohol is regarded as a good thing.”"

Joined : 31 Jul 2008 Posts : 1

Blimey!!!
Some people just have no idea. The current climate for battering the hell out of the pub trade means we need to show the press / government / anti-alcohol brigade that pubs are the responsible place to enjoy a drink in a controlled environment. Anyone who flicks through any trade mag or reads any national press about the trade should know full well that we're all a bit 'backs to the wall' in defending ourselves. We are not irresponsible booze floggers and painting us as such is completely irresponsible.
Get a grip, think before you speak.
Assuming the quote is accurate of course, and if it isn't ... apologies, and that just goes to show how much the press like to make us out as the evil providers of 'sin juice' to a crumbling society.
Regards
Pint Puller

Joined : 28 Dec 2006 Posts : 24 Localisation : the toon

Bugger all that nonsense, i'm off to Spy bar for the weekend!!!!