When I started drinking in the 1970s (and joined CAMRA in 1975) the London beer scene was not the most encouraging. There were only two London brewers of note Fullers and Youngs. The former were moving away from hand pulled beer to top pressure dispense. Youngs of Wandsworth remained the only cask ale brewer in the Capital.
Living in North London, then as now, this wasnt of great help as Youngs pubs were mainly in south-west London. There were however a few outposts notably the Spreadeagle in Camden Town and the Prince (now Princess) of Wales at Lea Bridge.
The beers, Youngs Ordinary and Special and the seasonal Winter Warmer, were good examples of the brewers art. At 5% Winter Warmer was one of the two strongest beers then available in London pubs (the other being Fullers ESB). I even had the questionable honour of meeting John Young on occasion. He used to appear at social events at the old Telecoms (now BT) London HQ on the Albert Embankment…..
Anyway Youngs is no longer a brewery but a pub company. Its beers are brewed (probably) by Carlsberg at Burton.
Youngs have announced the acquisition of Cubitt House an upmarket chain of nine pubs for £30m. The pubs are mostly in inner West London.
The Times comments ‘Cubitt House is considered more upscale than Youngs. (Its pubs) feature gastropub menus (while Youngs) ‘menus lean towards pub classics’ (i.e pies). Perhaps the Times should acquaint themselves with the Tom Kerridge pies in the M&S Gastropub range.. although the Times report is by Isabella Fish so perhaps the issue is how upmarket you want your fish and chips
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