Cock and Bull buyout kills real ale

It is reported that the recent acquisition of the Cock and Bull chain of five pubs, which were distinguished for their Fuggles Best Bitter dispensed by handpump, will result in their beers being terminated. This deeply regrettable move instantly cuts the number of North Island establishments where something vaguely resembling real ale might be found by one third. No beer enthusiast is likely to choose to drink bland, mass-produced, fizzy beer in a Cock and Bull bar from early August when their award-winning beers are scheduled to be phased out. Surely the new owners are shooting themselves in the foot?

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1207/S00666/a-cock-and-bull-story-end-of-an-era-for-brewpubs.htm

BAR OF THE MONTH - March

New Zealand Real Ale Bar of the Month for March is the Cock & Bull, Ellerslie.

The Cock & Bull's Ellerslie establishment was their second bar, and has many years' experience of serving the Fuggles Best Bitter by handpump. So long as you time your visit and order judiciously, you stand a reasonable chance of getting a fresh pint in respectable condition.

BAR OF THE MONTH - August

New Zealand Real Ale Bar of the Month for August is The Cock & Bull, Newmarket.

The Cock & Bull, Newmarket is the 'jewel in the crown' of the five Cock & Bull pubs. The chain's beer is brewed at the Steam Brewing Company in Otahuhu, which started originally in East Tamaki in 1995 behind the chain's first pub. One of their beers, Fuggles Best Bitter, is a true English-style ale, alive and unadulterated by artificial carbon dioxide. Newmarket is generally busy enough to give the eager customer a chance of receiving a fresh, cool, pint, pulled from the handpump. Most of their pubs need to give some attention to their dishwashing procedures as it's not uncommon to receive pints with hardened foam from previous beer causing bubbles on the inside of the glass. This is hardly an enticing start to one's drinking experience at the Cock & Bull! The Newmarket branch opened in 2005, and is a spacious, relaxed, pleasant place to meet friends and enjoy real ale.

Cock & Bull, Hamilton

Cock & Bull, Te Rapa, Hamilton.

UPDATE: Unfortunately the Cock and Bull chain of pubs was sold in August 2012, and no longer serve their award-winning beers. The handpump in each bar has, alas, been removed to make way for mass-produced fizzy products from national 'brands'.

Fuggles Best Bitter (4.8%), brewed by the Steam Brewing Company, is usually available on handpump at all Cock and Bull outlets.

Cock & Bull, Lynfield

Cock & Bull, Hillsborough Rd, Lynfield, Auckland.

UPDATE: Unfortunately the Cock and Bull chain of pubs was sold in August 2012, and no longer serve their award-winning beers. The handpump in each bar has, alas, been removed to make way for mass-produced fizzy products from national 'brands'.

Fuggles Best Bitter (4.8%), brewed by the Steam Brewing Company, is usually available on handpump at all Cock and Bull outlets.

Cock & Bull, Ellerslie

Cock & Bull, Robert St, Ellerslie, Auckland.

UPDATE: Unfortunately the Cock and Bull chain of pubs was sold in August 2012, and no longer serve their award-winning beers. The handpump in each bar has, alas, been removed to make way for mass-produced fizzy products from national 'brands'.

Fuggles Best Bitter (4.8%), brewed by the Steam Brewing Company, is usually available on handpump at all Cock and Bull outlets.

Cock & Bull, Botany

Cock & Bull, Town Centre Drive, Botany, Auckland.

UPDATE: Unfortunately the Cock and Bull chain of pubs was sold in August 2012, and no longer serve their award-winning beers. The handpump in each bar has, alas, been removed to make way for mass-produced fizzy products from national 'brands'.

Fuggles Best Bitter (4.8%), brewed by the Steam Brewing Company, is usually available on handpump at all Cock and Bull outlets.

Cock & Bull, Newmarket

Cock & Bull, Khyber Pass, Newmarket, Auckland.

UPDATE: Unfortunately the Cock and Bull chain of pubs was sold in August 2012, and no longer serve their award-winning beers. The handpump in each bar has, alas, been removed to make way for mass-produced fizzy products from national 'brands'.

Fuggles Best Bitter (4.8%), brewed by the Steam Brewing Company, is usually available on handpump at all Cock and Bull outlets.