“God I miss the pub”. It’s a lament nearly all of us have uttered at some point during lockdown. Just being able to say “let’s go down the pub” out loud – in other words, let’s forget about what’s happening in our lives right now and lose ourselves in the bottom of a pint glass – is something we’ve all relished since April 12th.
Is there anything better than days spent hanging out in a pub garden, laughing with friends? While we’re of course overjoyed that pub beer gardens have reopened, let’s face it; getting a seat and getting served has been tough these past few weeks.
The spontaneity of going down the boozer, footloose and fancy free, still hasn’t quite been realised. So, why not bring the pub vibes into your backyard for the next few weeks and create your own beer garden for whenever you fancy a pint? With that in mind and with an ineptly poured pint in hand, here’s our 5 top tips for creating your very own beer garden at home.
THE VIBE
Pub gardens come in so many styles these days. From classic boozers to gastropubs, all the way to those so-called hipster joints that you find in a Hackney car park. As such, we say simply pick the vibe of your favourite beer garden and copy it.
To create the right atmosphere for your very own beer garden, it’s all about the props. Start by naming your garden pub and creating some signage. Next, dig out your Christmas lights and string up them around the garden; nothing beats that twinkle, right? Otherwise, you’re just kinda huddled round, drinking in the dark…and where’s the fun in that?
For us, the pub picnic table is the key focal point and aesthetic of any pub garden. B&Q sell one for around £90 while Argos has a bench for a slightly more expensive £100.
Or, if you’re a dab hand at DIY, 101pallets.com explains that it’s easy to make a pallet picnic table out of recycled wooden pallets. Alternatively, invest in a couple of oak barrels and bar stools, and enjoy your garden drinks, tapas-style. Oh, and outdoor heaters or even a fire pit to stay warm are a good idea – this is the UK, after all.
GLASSWARE SMARTS
Don’t have pint glasses? Firstly, we commend you for having not stolen any from your local. Secondly, don’t think you have to rush out to buy a load of cumbersome glassware that you can’t fit in your cupboard. You know, you don’t even have to serve beers in a traditional pint glass.
Not having pint glasses at home shouldn’t stop you from hosting your own beer garden; simply serve your drinks in jam jars instead, or offer up 330ml cans of pale ale, like a trendy East London hangout would. Done.
THE BEER
Though we do realise we just suggested cans, the most important part of any beer garden experience is surely that lovely draught ale, freshly poured and with just the right amount of froth.
The guys at beerdrivethru.com tell us that fresh beer is the best beer, and we couldn’t agree more. They can deliver freshly-tapped and dispatched craft ales straight to your door – wherever you are in the UK, saying that their “bag-in-a-box beer is the closest to a freshly-tapped pub pint you’ll get – and you get to enjoy it from the comfort of your own home.” Cheers!
Otherwise, there are several excellent beer keg dispensers currently on the market, helping you create that pulled pint feeling from home. At the budget end of the spectrum, the Pinter At Home costs just £75, whilst the Fizzics DraftPour clocks in at £149. Or, if you’re looking to spend a little more, then the Philips Perfect Draft is a smart investment, costing £399 and being compatible with over 40 different beers.
Now, all you have to do is get your pouring technique right. Speaking of which…
LEARN HOW TO POUR A PINT
It’s important to be able to pour a pint correctly. The guys at beerdrivethru.com explain that “pouring a pint badly won’t just leave you with a face full of foam, it will impact the taste too”.
Indeed, from the glass you choose and how well you’ve cleaned it, all the way to the speed and angle of your pour, so much attention to detail determines how good your pint is. According to those experts, here’s how to pour the perfect pint…
- “Start by tilting your glass to a 45-degree angle, which allows the beer to travel smoothly down the glass. A smooth flow means less air – and less air means you have more control over the foam.”
- “As the beer reaches the lip of the glass, slowly straighten it out. At this point there should be little or no head”.
- “Once the glass is at a 90-degree angle, pour the remainder of the beer directly into the centre – leaving a gap between the tap and the glass. Pouring from higher up allows more air into the beer and helps produce more head.”
- “Keep pouring until the head bubbles just above the top of the glass – ideally around 1ins”
- “Now try to keep your head on! Because the head is made up of carbon dioxide bubbles, it will dissipate as they burst – taking those all-important aromas with it. But you can slow down the process by drinking carefully and trying not to sup too much of the head in one mouthful”
READ: 4 IDEAL beer pairing tips for your summer BBQ
THE FOOD
Perhaps what separates a good beer garden from a great one is the snacks. We’re not saying you have to go all out with a menu of shredded jackfruit vegan burgers and the like. But rather, having just a few traditional pub staples tucked away in your freezer to heat through whenever the urge for pub grub arises is perfect for satisfying the punters. Friends, we mean friends.
Scotch Eggs are about as ideal a snack as you can get – consider making a batch up in and freezing them so you have them on hand. Other stuff to stock in your freezer includes whitebait, chicken wings and, of course, chips. A cupboard of pork scratchings and your crisp of choice, tyrrells, kettle or both, are also important. Perhaps, even more so.
If you want to go all out, we love the idea of adding a pizza oven to complete your beer garden set up. Sure, it changes the dynamic slightly, away from boozing and to more of a foodie focus, but that might be rather nice, don’t you think?
Speaking of which, check out these tips on how to build your own pizza oven for some inspiration!