Sir Henry Bell
The people of Helensburgh have waited years for a Wetherspoons to open. It nearly happened when the old cinema on James St. was considered but another chain developed that site. Hector has only crossed their threshold a couple of times. The Commodore has introduced Ales in the last couple of years, but rarely has anything special unless they have a Festival. The planned opening was at the start of this week but an infrastructure problem delayed this. Somehow Jonathan and Robin found themselves here yesterday despite today being the rescheduled official opening day.
Ten Ale Taps
Ten Ale Taps in Helensburgh, in thirty one years of frequenting this town I never thought I would see this. Eight of the Taps were actually dispensing Ale. Only one Ale was suitable for the Chaps: Fyne Ales (Cairndow, Argyll and Bute) Jarl at 3.8% has become a firm favourite. This was a working day and so it was also a sensible choice. The staff seemed familiar, so did many of the customers. I always find service in Wetherspoons to be poor, never enough people serving. The youngsters today will still be coming to terms with pouring Ale, one simply could not.
The number of Babies in the Pub was a concern. Hector simply cannot accept this modern day phenomenon of Weans running around, Babies screaming – a traditionalist at heart.
There was a fine turnout from The Company: Jonathan, Robin, [Stan.TB], Brother Gerry, Howard, Steve and eventually Tracey showed. Eleanor could not miss out either.
We shall certainly be back – if as the Manager says – they will always have Bier on from Fyne Ales then this should guarantee our custom.
But, what happens when an Ale goes off? We shall see…