Last Wednesday night, the country’s best beer writer – Pete Brown – introduced an audience at Rough Trade East to his new book about six centuries in the life of an extraordinary pub that sells pretty average beer*. Shakespeare’s Local documents the life and times of The George in Southwark, the last of the original coaching inns left standing. An enthralling history lesson, the book is a stunning piece of archeological psychogeography with a cast of characters that includes everyone from Chaucer to Trigger from Only Fools and Horses.

After the talk, we were lucky enough to be shown around and offered ‘refreshments’ at the new Brewdog bar on Redchurch Street . Whatever preconceptions you might have about the Scottish brewery, ditch them. Their new bar is absolutely knockout. After three beer cocktails each, we scattered towards our respective homes, lost in echoes of London history and a fog of Aberdeenshire alcoholic alchemy.

A good night, then.

*It’s a Greene King pub.

Shakespeare’s Local is available in the Caught by the River shop.

Robin