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The Pub: A Cultural Institution ― from Country Inns to Craft Beer Bars and Corner Locals
WINNER OF THE DRINK BOOK AWARD AT THE FORTNUM & MASON FOOD AND DRINK AWARDS 2017.
Pete Brown has visited hundreds of pubs across the UK and is uniquely placed to write about pubs that ooze atmosphere, for whatever reason - food, people, architecture, location or decor. The best pubs are those that always have a steady trade at any time on any day of the week, and where chat flows back and forth across the bar. They're the places where you want to drink weak beer so you can have several pints and stay longer. Some are grand Victorian palaces, others ancient inns with stunning views across the hills. Some are ale shrines, others gastropubs (though they probably don't call themselves that any more). A precious few are uniquely eccentric, the kinds of places that are just as likely to have terrible reviews on Trip Advisor as great ones, because some people don't realize that the outside toilets, limp sandwiches on the bar and really disturbing full-size mannequin glaring at you from the corner are all part of the charm.
This collection of 300 pubs with atmosphere will include 50 pub features and 250 smaller descriptions, alongside quirks of local history, pen portraits of punters or publicans, legends, yarns and myths, and case studies of different trends and types of pub.
Pete Brown has visited hundreds of pubs across the UK and is uniquely placed to write about pubs that ooze atmosphere, for whatever reason - food, people, architecture, location or decor. The best pubs are those that always have a steady trade at any time on any day of the week, and where chat flows back and forth across the bar. They're the places where you want to drink weak beer so you can have several pints and stay longer. Some are grand Victorian palaces, others ancient inns with stunning views across the hills. Some are ale shrines, others gastropubs (though they probably don't call themselves that any more). A precious few are uniquely eccentric, the kinds of places that are just as likely to have terrible reviews on Trip Advisor as great ones, because some people don't realize that the outside toilets, limp sandwiches on the bar and really disturbing full-size mannequin glaring at you from the corner are all part of the charm.
This collection of 300 pubs with atmosphere will include 50 pub features and 250 smaller descriptions, alongside quirks of local history, pen portraits of punters or publicans, legends, yarns and myths, and case studies of different trends and types of pub.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published August 18, 2016
About the author
Pete Brown
18 books64 followersThere is more than one author with this name
Pete Brown is an English writer who has written extensively on the subject of beer and drinking cultures around the world. He has written three books; Man Walks Into a Pub, Three Sheets to the Wind, and Hops and Glory. Brown was born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire and now lives in London.
Above bio is from Wikipedia. Photo is from Flickr user epicbeer.
Pete Brown is an English writer who has written extensively on the subject of beer and drinking cultures around the world. He has written three books; Man Walks Into a Pub, Three Sheets to the Wind, and Hops and Glory. Brown was born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire and now lives in London.
Above bio is from Wikipedia. Photo is from Flickr user epicbeer.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 15, 2019
delightful and interesting book detailing different types of pubs and historic ones too
March 13, 2018
I enjoyed this book immensely. The pub descriptions and photos made you wish you visit each one. I think it's time for a return trip to the the UK.
October 21, 2017
Great size book, well researched with lots of information. Plus there are tons of amazing photos. Would love to go on a road trip with this book. Thanks Goodreads Giveaway for an amazing book!
February 26, 2026
This is a "coffee table" book, packed with some gorgeous photos. It's more than a book of lists in its early stages, so worthy of a review.
It starts very readable - with a cultural history of the pub and then breaking it down into a dozen or so categories of a pub (Gastro, locals, historic, coastal etc) and then has an essay on each with an example pub. This is very readable and quite pithy/humourous.
It then - as you would expect - breaks the UK down into regions and picks the man's favourite pubs in each area. Feature pubs get a longer write up, others are limited to a paragraph.
As a "pub ticker", it brought back plenty of nostalgia and made me feel rather snug that I am a connoisseur, having visited the majority of those recommended in places I have travelled to. I will be creating a google maps of all recommendations and using it to revisit / compare notes with a fellow fan.
Beautiful to look at book.
It starts very readable - with a cultural history of the pub and then breaking it down into a dozen or so categories of a pub (Gastro, locals, historic, coastal etc) and then has an essay on each with an example pub. This is very readable and quite pithy/humourous.
It then - as you would expect - breaks the UK down into regions and picks the man's favourite pubs in each area. Feature pubs get a longer write up, others are limited to a paragraph.
As a "pub ticker", it brought back plenty of nostalgia and made me feel rather snug that I am a connoisseur, having visited the majority of those recommended in places I have travelled to. I will be creating a google maps of all recommendations and using it to revisit / compare notes with a fellow fan.
Beautiful to look at book.
December 15, 2021
As a craft beer geek, dedicated barfly and former publican, this book made me shed a nostalgic tear.
Actually, no, that's an understatement. This book made me bawl my eyes out. It's been almost 3 years since I had a pint in the UK, and reading The Pub was a fantastic, albeit bittersweet, trip down memory lane. In the light of recent events, I kind of dread stepping back into my old locals and seeing how (or if) they've changed, or worse, finding out they're no longer there.
Actually, no, that's an understatement. This book made me bawl my eyes out. It's been almost 3 years since I had a pint in the UK, and reading The Pub was a fantastic, albeit bittersweet, trip down memory lane. In the light of recent events, I kind of dread stepping back into my old locals and seeing how (or if) they've changed, or worse, finding out they're no longer there.
January 5, 2021
A beautifully presented book all about pubs of all kinds from across the UK. The long-form entries are very engaging, painting enticing pictures of the pubs. The short-form entries somewhat less so, but a good read nonetheless.
Perhaps an unfortunate book to start 2021 with, as I now mostly want to go to the pub and can't...
Perhaps an unfortunate book to start 2021 with, as I now mostly want to go to the pub and can't...
January 9, 2026
A very enjoyable ‘coffee table’ book with great photos and pithy comments on a range of fine looking British pubs, all of which look worthy of checking out.
Want to Read
March 7, 2017Craft Beer & Brewing Oct/Nov 2016
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews