Millions of Brits are happiest when they’re in a pub — well, surely most of us knew this, didn’t we? But a new poll conducted on behalf of Tribute Cornish Pale Ale for Cask Ale Week shows this really is the case.
Despite many pubs closing their doors, and more and more people opting to stay at home to have a drink, the nation’s love affair with their local is as strong as ever, according to the survey of 2,000 people, conducted by OnePoll.
A spokesperson for the pollsters said: “We wanted to find out not only how many Brits say they feel happiest in the pub, but some of the reasons why.”
Brits visit the pub twice a month on average, and three in ten say they often escape to the pub when they’re feeling stressed or annoyed. One in five also visit their local so often they’re on first-name terms with the bar staff and landlord.
Catching up with friends was voted as the number one reason that Brits love to get to the pub, with the general atmosphere a close second. The main reason for pubs existing — the chance to have a few drinks — was the third most popular reason for a visit.
Four in ten Brits say they’ll make a special trip to visit a pub that serves their favourite beer, and lager was revealed to be the most common drink of choice, with a pint of cask ale a close second.
Coming top of the poll for brewing quality regionally-produced beer was Cornwall. More than 16% picked the popular staycation location as having the country’s best beer.
The greatest pub meal was voted fish and chips, with two in ten selecting the dish over all other choices on the menu. One in ten said they’d opt for a classic burger and chips, or a ploughman’s lunch.
A spokesperson for Tribute said: “There’s never been more choice on the bar, but what remains most important is quality. Great cask beer is unsurpassable and an integral part of British pub culture, and Cask Ale Week is a celebration of just that.”
Those top ten reasons for visiting the pub
1. Catching up with friends
2. The atmosphere
3. The opportunity to have a few drinks
4. Laughing with friends
5. The food
6. Somewhere to drink real ale
7. It’s close to home
8. Having a romantic night with partner
9. Playing pool
10. Playing fruit / quiz machines
