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"Tube":35qxbrok wrote: This is a cafe bar?

Surely he should be selling beer that pairs with his food?

Or do people go in just to drink beer?[/quote:35qxbrok]

Both really. It has an extensive wine menu, less beer though.

What beer does he currently sell?

If he gets a lot of tourist trade then he should definitely stay local and stock Irish craft and make sure that it is obviously marketed as such. I'd go for a couple of crowd pleasers (stout/porter and IPA) and a few of the lesser known breweries. Bottles sell well in cafes mainly because customers can see what's available by looking at the menu rather than having to peer into the coolers.

"Andrew":1e60jzeg wrote: Bottles sell well in cafes mainly because customers can see what's available by looking at the menu rather than having to peer into the coolers.[/quote:1e60jzeg]

a slection of btls available on the shelf at eye level perhaps with a chalk board giving the basic info on them would help shift.

putting a food beer pairing on each dish on the menu may help as well as encourage people to try new brands

I would like to suggest that as well as the beer menu ( with suggested nibbles ) that the main food menus also pairs beers with the foods listed.

Now on the subject of great craft beer pubs with great menus:

Most of the portions/dishes are too big for the casual, older drinker.

In Germany when you see an older couple in a resturant/bar they look at the menu and say "Ein mal, zwei teller" i.e. One portion, two plates please. There is no problem in Germany over this. They then proceed to have a small meal between them and a huge amount of beer/wine. I know this coz "I was there" and done it.

In Dublin or elsewhere: Arriving at the B&C for the monthly meet up there is no way I could manage one of their mains.

What I would LOVE is a smaller snack like a small cheese selection/biscuits and a stout?

Or a sausgae butty with a an IPA?

My suggestions is that for about a tenner you can have a drink and a snack

I know that smaller portions equals more overheads but after all its the punters money you are after.

Will

You see this is the thing - I'm not a wine drinker. Friends and family drink wine with certain foods, in the same way I drink beer. I would love to see a place that offers beers that go along with foods but I'm not sure its commercially viable.

But thank you for all the suggestions - I will see what he likes, I know he likes O Haras and Hooker, not sure about metalman but we will give it a go.