Brewing Up a Beery Tale
You know, I’ve always been a bit of a history buff when it comes to beer. There’s just something captivating about tracing the origins and evolution of our favorite bubbly beverage. And as luck would have it, the very establishment I frequent, The Up and Under Pub, happens to have a rich and intriguing beer history all its own. Hold onto your pint glasses, folks, because I’m about to take you on a journey through the captivating story of this iconic watering hole.
Raising a Glass to the Past
Step into The Up and Under Pub, and you’ll be transported back in time. The warm, wooden paneling, the cozy atmosphere, and the sound of glasses clinking together – it all feels like stepping into a bygone era. But this place isn’t just a relic of the past; it’s a living, breathing piece of history that’s been quenching the thirst of thirsty Londoners for generations.
The Up and Under Pub first opened its doors in the late 19th century, when the surrounding Smithfield area was a bustling hub of activity. Back then, the pubs in this neighborhood were the lifeblood of the community, serving as gathering places for workers, business owners, and everyone in between. And The Up and Under Pub was no exception.
As I sip my pint and gaze around the dimly lit interior, I can almost imagine the ghosts of the past – the carters hauling their wares to the nearby market, the butchers taking a well-deserved break, and the local dockworkers swapping stories over a foaming tankard of ale. It was a time when the pub was the heart and soul of the community, a place where people came together to share in the simple pleasures of good company and great beer.
A Pint-Sized Peek into the Past
But what was the beer like back then, you ask? Well, let’s just say it was a far cry from the sleek, modern brews we enjoy today. According to the historical records I’ve uncovered, the authentic English “four-ale bar” pint mug in use at The Up and Under Pub up until the end of the First World War was a rather unusual affair – a china pot in a peculiar shade of pink, with a white strap handle.
Can you even imagine? Pink china pots, rather than the classic straight-sided or slightly sloping-sided pint glasses we’re all familiar with. It’s enough to make a seasoned beer drinker like myself do a double take. But you know, that’s part of the charm of this place. The Up and Under Pub has always marched to the beat of its own drum, embracing the quirks and eccentricities of the past.
The Rise of the Pint Glass
Of course, as time marched on, the humble pint glass underwent its own evolution. Around 1928, the 10-sided or fluted handled glass pint mug came into vogue, and this is the iconic vessel you’d see in all the “Beer Is Best” advertising campaigns put out by the Brewers Society in the 1930s.
According to the experts, this 10-sided pint glass is, in the opinion of this drinker, the finest way to enjoy a classic English ale. The way the light plays through the facets, the satisfying heft in your hand – it’s a true work of art.
But the pint glass revolution didn’t stop there. Around 1948, the dimple pint glass arrived on the scene, eventually driving out the fluted glass as the preferred vessel for bitter and amber beers. You see, the dimpled design allowed the light to shine through the pint of bitter in a way that was simply mesmerizing – like watching the stained-glass windows of Salisbury or Chartres Cathedral.
The Ugly Duckling of Pint Glasses
However, not all innovations in pint glass design were met with such enthusiasm. In the early 1960s, the industry faced a major problem – the tendency of straight-sided glasses to chip or nick where the rims rubbed together during washing and storage. And so, the Nonik glass was born – a beer glass with a strengthened bulge about an inch or an inch and a half down from the rim, preventing those pesky nicks and chips.
Unfortunately, in my humble opinion, the Nonik has to be the ugliest, least attractive container to ever grace a pub counter. It does absolutely nothing to enhance the aesthetic qualities of the liquid it contains. It’s the beer glass equivalent of an awkward teenager – all elbows and no grace.
Thankfully, the Nonik seems to be on its way out, replaced by the tall, narrow, and slightly tapered thin-walled pint glasses that have become the norm in recent years. But you know, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia for those charming, eccentric pint glasses of the past. They may not have been the most practical, but they had character – and character, my friends, is what makes a good pub great.
The Curious Case of the Guinness Glass
Of course, not all pint glass innovations were met with such disdain. In the early 1960s, a variation on the Nonik design – the waisted, thin-walled pint glass – became the classic Guinness pint glass, particularly popular in the North of England for serving Yorkshire-style big head pints.
This sleek, elegant design not only solved the chipping problem but also managed to capture the essence of the stout it was intended to serve. The way the light catches the rich, creamy head, the satisfying heft in your hand – it’s a true testament to the power of form following function.
A Toast to the Future
As I sit here, sipping my pint and soaking in the history of The Up and Under Pub, I can’t help but wonder what the future holds for the humble pint glass. Will we see a return to the quirky, eccentric designs of the past? Or will the industry continue to prioritize practicality and efficiency over character and charm?
One thing’s for sure – no matter what shape or size the pint glass of the future may take, the spirit of The Up and Under Pub will always live on. This place has seen it all, from pink china pots to sleek Guinness glasses, and through it all, it has remained a steadfast bastion of community, camaraderie, and, of course, exceptional beer.
So, here’s to The Up and Under Pub and the captivating beer history it embodies. May your taps always flow, your pints always be full, and your stories always be as captivating as the very liquid they’re poured into. Cheers, my friends!
