British pubs have become a part and parcel of the culture and history of that country, so much so that whoever visits Britain must certainly experience this pub culture. Pubs are famous for their specific types of food, like Fish & Chips, Shepherd’s Pie and other delicacies, as well as the enormous types of beverages available both from alcoholic to non-alcoholic, and with the advent of micro-breweries, they now also serve a large variety of brands and styes of craft beer in London and elsewhere, so that everyone can get a taste of this exceptionally flavoursome and aromatic beer.
British pubs actually date back to the Roman era, almost 2,000 years ago, when the invading Roman army opened up Taverns for the workers on the Roman roads to be able to unwind after a hard day of work, and for the Roman legionaries to quench their thirst. Most of these Tabernae as they were called, were located along the roads being built by the Romans. Very soon however, the taverns started to serve Ale, which was a popular British beverage at the time, and many locals started visiting these establishments to get their daily dose of ale and cider.
Some of these establishments also provided accommodation for weary travellers at nominal rates, together with food and drinks, and were known as inns. Gradually these taverns and inns were converted into public houses and soon became commonly known as pubs, and have existed ever since, and are sure to exist far into the future.
So, what is it about British pubs that gets everyone so excited, from locals to foreign visitors? Well, here are a few things that we think make pubs special.
- The atmosphere – Comparing to other drinking establishments such as bars and restaurants, British pubs have a very different atmosphere. They are open establishments, free for anyone to visit, at any time of the day, whether you want to enjoy a drink, relax with a book, have a family outing, a business meeting or to meet with friends.
- The history – Almost all of these British pubs are housed in buildings that have a long history to them, and are hundreds of years old. Some pubs have even existed for that long, ownership being passed down from generation to generation. All pubs share similar characteristics such as low ceilings, log fireplaces and wooden beams, but you can be sure that you will never find two pubs that are similar. The pubs themselves are steeped in history, and you can listen to many a tale if you take the time to speak to the bartender or the old man sitting in a corner enjoying his beer.
- The drinks – British pubs have some of the best beverages you can find, from local ciders and ales to the tastiest craft beer in London. Sometimes you may even be lucky enough to find drinks that you won’t find anywhere else, because they source from local breweries and distillers.
- The food – Pubs are famous for hosting the Sunday Roast (in addition to other delicacies), where families gather together for a drink and to enjoy the good food that they offer. Sunday roasts are a great combination of meats, roast potatoes, vegetables and of course Yorkshire Pudding, and is something that visitors should not miss, if they truly want to experience what British Pub culture is. Don’t forget to go with a hearty appetite though, because you will not get bigger portions anywhere else.
- The activities – Something else British pubs are famous for are hosting activities such as quiz nights, pool games, dart games etc, making a weekend fun activity for everyone to enjoy in addition to the food and drinks offered by them. Some even offer play areas for little children, where they can enjoy and entertain themselves while the adults enjoy a good pint.
Stepping into one these pubs is similar to taking a step back in time, because it seems that within those walls you are in a different time, a different place, a different era. The hustle and bustle of everyday modern living is left behind, and you enter into the cool, calm and jolly ambience that the pub has to offer.
If you are an avid lover of craft beer and want to know where you can savour some delicious styles of this truly artisan beverage, then it is best to search online for craft beer near me, and you can easily find the pubs closest to you that serve them. When you enter the pub though, don’t forget to experience every aspect of the British Pub culture, from the drinks to the food to the ambiance to its history.
