Hmm... sorta spilled the beans, didn't I. Details below.
This is it. The annual announcement of the Yuletide, Christmas, Hogmanay, Hanukkah and New Year's Eve Beery Photo Contest. It's an exciting time. And a welcome one even if sifting through a pile of entries and a pile of prizes is just about the dumbest thing I could add to an otherwise insanely busy time of year. Why do I do it? Because of the beauty. Must be that. One of my favorite things about beer is how lovely things surrounding it truly are. I wish I had more time to do this as I always think a really proper job needs doing for this. But, after now seven contests, I have to admit the winners make for a pretty remarkable gallery, Have a look at the winners from 2006 - 2011:
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Located in Manchester, England, the Circus Tavern apparently has the smallest bar in Europe. It's also located in the hallway of the pub near the entrance which means it very easily gets crowded.
Notice the busy bartender in orange. See the photos on the ceiling and the wall. Is that Georgie Best to the left? The faces are normal, average working folk. The pub is tight. That guy at the back carries his jacket on his shoulder. So does the one second to the right. I love the early 1900s light fixture, the brown paneling, the guy's face to the left checking out the ceiling. For me, the photo reminds us of how a good bar is a jumble but in that mess there is also order, rules and comfort.
So there you have it. Another year in the books. Prize emails to donors and winners will start being sent soon. Oh - and one more thing. No entries were crap enough to earn the crap photo award. Remember, this was created for that photo by Bill Night of Portland Oregon which was the ugliest picture I have ever posted on my blog. It deserves reposting for its crap-tac-u-lar-ness. What the hell is that? Who knows? Who cares?
Comments
Craig - December 20, 2012 10:11 PM
Hey that's not my photo!
Alan - December 20, 2012 11:00 PM
I shook your email and no money fell to the floor.
dave - December 21, 2012 11:24 AM
Carling Zest at £2 per bottle or £5 for three... we're all winners with that! What does the newspaper clipping next to the special promotion have written on it... "Stay Rosy Judas!!"? I also like how they still try to make room for the "service area" (sign under the taps, near the floor).
I thought my photo was rather crap... but that's probably because I lost a beer.
Gary Gillman - December 21, 2012 7:07 PM
A "slice of life" image, as you said, Alan.
It actually reminds me of a number of bars in New York which originated in the 1800's including Pete's Tavern, McSorley's and the bars at Keene's steakhouse. Many U.S. bars from that time were were similar to many English pubs as they look today.
First time I entered an English pub was in the mid-80's in London. It had swing doors, wood planking, a plain wood bar and it looked a lot like the saloons you see in old Western movies. And then I saw the sign on pubs, "saloon bar". The English just never changed many of their Victorian-era pubs, they weren't copying Hollywood, rather the old U.S. saloon looked a lot like its counterpart in England. This is probably due to the strong influence the English have had in North America until comparatively recently.
Gary
Robert Gale - December 22, 2012 6:42 AM
Honoured that you chose my photo. Here's a bit more info about the photo.
The three women in the centre all worked there and we're constantly supplying beer to the two adjoining rooms.
I took the shot around 11:30am and at first I couldn't get in because it was so full. Tried again and managed to get a space by the door. To get the shot I had to use a 10-20mm lens and hold it above my head. I was pleased with how it turned out.
Jeff Alworth - December 24, 2012 8:59 PM
Congrats to both the winner and the host for another successful effort. Cheers to you--
Herb Meowing - December 25, 2012 5:59 PM
The ceiling light fixture looks like an empty thought bubble.
Steve Gates - January 2, 2013 8:09 PM
Thanks for the details Mr Gale, learning that this photo was taken in the morning makes me like it even more. A great and thankfully typical example of the social microcosm we call the tavern. Good choice Alan. Congrats to you both.