Added: 10/04/2005 |
Beer bars - the centres of social lifeBeer bars are establishments that sell and serve beer for consumption on premise. A long tradition stands behind beer bars. In early times, people met in beer bars to talk about politics, strike a bargain or prepare for wars. They have been especially important in the countries that developed their own beer culture, such as Germany or Czech. Nowadays, a beer bar serves many useful purposes. It is the only indoor place, where an average person can comfortably meet the others, even strangers, and get into a prolonged conversation with them.
Beer bars are different from cafes, restaurants and fast food restaurants in a greater range of beer it offers. The range can consist of the labels of some particular country or various countries - beer from Germany, Ireland, Czech, Belgium, Austria, Finland, France and Japan. Thus, with this magic drink you can travel to different countries and continents.
In some beer bars little food is served - only snacks like pistachios, crackers etc, while in the others the menu includes a number of dishes that go well with beer. The later are actually called beer restaurants. For the owners beer restaurants are more profitable than beer bars as the supply available is greater and more varied. However, beer bars are much more numerous because it is easier to find premises for them.
A notable aspect of beer bars is their specific interior. They hardly need any daylight - for most people the idea of drinking beer with a company of friends is associated with evening time. That is why many beer bars are situated in basements. The design should create a cozy and intimate atmosphere for the visitors not to notice the flow of time. The materials, used for the furniture and decoration, are wood, stone and brick. The tables are with four-eight seats, as people often come there with their companies. A very important element is music. It is meant to help people relax and contribute to the atmosphere, favorable for conversations.
Beer bars are provided with all kinds of equipment and crockery for keeping and serving beer: blenders, sinks, glass washers and glass brushes, beer taps, beer faucets, etc. Beer can be served either from a beer keg (and that is what makes beer bars specific) or in beer bottles, which can be glass, metal or plastic. The quality of beer, its flavor and freshness depend very much on the material of the container it is kept in. PET bottles, having outstanding oxygen barrier characteristics, are considered to be the best beer containers by many brewers.
One more specific feature of bars is that there is no waiter service. If you want something, you have to go and ask for it at the bar. It may seem not very welcoming and a strange way of making people feel comfortable and relaxed. Nevertheless, for many people to be served at the table is rather discomforting, as it makes them feel they have to be on their best behavior. In addition, when you have to fetch your drinks yourself, it is more informal.
Taken together, all these characteristics account for the great popularity that beer bars enjoy.
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