The beer list from the first Wetherspoons (1980)- As Roger Protz notes, Abbot was then only available in Suffolk, Sam Smith never seen outside their own pubs..

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The beer list from the first Wetherspoons (1980)- As Roger Protz notes, Abbot was then only available in Suffolk, Sam Smith never seen outside their own pubs..

In Uncategorized on April 30, 2025 by kmflett

CAMRA London Drinker September 1980

Above is the beer list from the first ever Wetherspoons, then called Martins, which was in Colney Hatch Lane, Muswell Hill, N10

Greene King Abbot (still a Spoons staple)

Ruddle’s County

Well’s Bombardier

Young’s Special

Sam Smith’s OBB

Arkell’s BBB

Notable that none of those beers were regularly available in North London 45 years ago (Youngs had a handful of N.London outlets, the Spreadeagle, Camden Town and the Prince (now Princess) of Wales Lea Bridge Rd. I’m also interested to see Sam Smiths mentioned. How Martin mentioned to get hold of it given the eccentric ways of the Brewery is of interest.

I think all the beers listed are still brewed albeit Ruddles County, now owned by Greene King, is sadly diminished

Roger Protz then editing the Good Beer Guide commented on BlueSky

Thanks Keith for sharing. Before all the controversies of Spoons, as GBG editor I hurried to “Martin’s Free House” a converted bookies, to sample “beers from far & wide” not seen in N London. Even GK then only in Suffolk & how did he get the Sam Smith’s? SS still crazy after all these years.

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