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[quote:1rgtxir8]I don't think it's the advertising: I think it's lack of choice.[/quote:1rgtxir8]

Spot on TBN.When your local, along with most other pubs in your town, sell Guinness/Bud/Heineken/Carlsberg, then it's kind of hard to broaden your range on a night out. After years of this, you feel 'safe' with your chosen drink, and are slower to move out of your comfort zone - "Heineken has served me well over the last ten years, so why should I try something different". Off-licences provide that opportunity for experimenting, and, slowly, some publicans are responding by stocking some of these beers (Erdinger etc.), while still being able to play it relatively safe.


Ichiban, if you [i:1rgtxir8]could [/i:1rgtxir8]get away with a loop-hole like that I'm sure someone would be doing it already. I doubt you could though.

Why are you including the beer in the price of the food? Why not have it separate? Recommend a beer with the dish and maybe give a deal when you buy them together, but price them individually so that the value of the food is obvious.

"Ichiban":1ss8ejeg wrote: The actual cost of the beer to the business venture would be low, just above production cost, no excise duties, no transportation or middle man costs etc.[/quote:1ss8ejeg]
How do you dodge excise duty? Surely at some point you'll have to sell someone a beer, no?

"sbillings":1ss8ejeg wrote: maybe give a deal when you buy them together[/quote:1ss8ejeg]
I think that would be illegal: drink must be sold at the same price all day.

"Ichiban":1ss8ejeg wrote: This restaurant idea is cutting edge and will draw people to it because it is just that....a little out of the ordinary, a little bold.[/quote:1ss8ejeg]
Unfortunately, I think this is the bit where the bank manager starts looking at his watch. Cutting edge = Risk = Not with my money, you don't.

"Ichiban":1ss8ejeg wrote: Produce quality beer and they will come....!![/quote:1ss8ejeg]
Sadly, this was proven not so by Belgo. They got their location wrong, had no passing trade, kept getting fined for littering by the Council for their sign on Dame Street, and were ealy victims of a downsizing measure by the parent company. This despite great food at brilliant prices (£5 for lunch; buy four get one free) and a loyal customer base (me). There are so many pitfalls for the licensed and restaurant trade in Dublin today, no matter how good the product is. The Porterhouse was a going concern before it became a brewpub; the Bull & Castle has a well-established restaurant chain behind it. Both, I'm guessing, rely more on tourists than regulars.

"noby":39r3d8q6 wrote: After years of this, you feel 'safe' with your chosen drink, and are slower to move out of your comfort zone - "Heineken has served me well over the last ten years, so why should I try something different".[/quote:39r3d8q6]
I think what you're talking about here is brand loyalty, essentially people tend to stick to what they know. People identify themselves as Gunniess drinkers, Budweiser drinkers or whatever, much in the same way that most of the people here identify themselves as Craft Beer drinkers. I'm sure we've all had a conversation at some point with someone about the Porterhouse along these lines "I went there once, and they didn't even have Gunniess/Smithwicks/Heineken, I wouldn't go back to a bar like that..." So I think giving consumers choice isn't even half the battle, making them change their habits is the real challenge.

There are problems with every and any idea. The trick to a successful business is how to overcome them, or indeed how to circumnaviagate them. I for one would like to hear suggestions and solutions..

Sean, I figure the beer would be supplied in two sizes, depending on the size of the order. Order the large portion of wings receive 6 wings and a complimentary large beer, price €10. Order the small portion...a megre 3 wings and receive a small beer, a "taster" if you will....

I wouldn't separate the prices of food and beer however. Just one price with a 'wink-wink' and a generous fingers-up at the Revenue...

"Poc":1l5dhnmo wrote: People identify themselves as Gunniess drinkers, Budweiser drinkers or whatever, much in the same way that most of the people here identify themselves as Craft Beer drinkers.[/quote:1l5dhnmo]
Well, I for one don't throw a knicker-fit and sit pouting in the corner spoiling everyone else's evening if I'm not presented with a craft beer option.