Presentation to Blackfriars, Merchant City : Glasgow Pub of the Year 2006 : 8 March 2007

Pictures by Euan Fraser

Thursday 8th March 2007 at Blackfriars, Glasgow was a night to remember for all those present. Located in the heart of the buzzing Merchant City (recent winner of a UK-wide Good Community award against over 100 communities) Blackfriars attracts a wide range of people from students to businessmen. The pub was already filling up around 7pm, when Jonny & Tuggy of Fyne Ales together with their two-man brewing team arrived for the Glasgow launch of their new premium beer Avalanche. This immediately began to slip down the throats of many eager to try it, including a group of German visitors who compared it favourably with the lager-style beers they are used to. Yet more proof that if you want beers with flavour, the way to get it is with a secondary fermentation in the cask. A process perfected in Britain's real ale style of brewing and dispense. And what perfection! Not only were the ales in spot on condition - which we have come to regard as the norm in Blackfriars - but the selection offered had something for everyone. Titanic Mild was there for those who enjoy the darker side of life, while Williams Red satisfied the richer palates and Directors offered a strong option. Lovers of the hop were spoiled with Dark Star Hophead and of course the aforementioned Avalanche well hopped with (wait for it) Cascade. Before long the band arrived and once the microphones were on line we were able to officially announce the release of Avalanche and make the Pub of the Year award to Blackfriars' manager John McMillan. Under John's leadership the pub has been refurbished to provide valuable extra space and disabled toilets and he has continued the tradition of providing a unique atmosphere and good beer, established under his predecessor Caroline. Due praise must also go to Tom who does the cellar work so well and the friendly bar staff. In fact Blackfriars has been such a good pub for so long, even we at Glasgow CAMRA can't understand why it hasn't won the award before. We are quick to complain when things are wrong, but it's so easy to take good service for granted. That Thursday, the pub's enviable track record was finally recognised.
In true Oscar tradition, John thanked all his staff's hard work and then handed over to The Gilded Angels, a six piece country style band who had played outside the pub at September's Merchant City Festival. They soon had the pub jumping to their expertly crafted rhythms. The music and ale flowed into the evening and I would like to tell you what happened then, but funny thing, I can't remember. Must have been something I drank.