WEST Brewery on the money

The Scottish License Trade News held its annual awards ceremony recently with a lavish affair at the Glasgow Hilton, where Denise Van Outen dished out gongs to bars and bar staff from across the country.

Several awards went to smaller independent venues, as well as the industry big boys like McLay Inns. However, the biggest surprise came as WEST Brewery failed to scoop the Beer Quality award.

Victorian architect William Leiper’s Templeton Building, overlooking Glasgow Green, is the location of the Munich-style beer hall bar, with many of the former carpet factory’s industrial scars still visible across the floor.

Launched five years ago, the Brewery has quietly gone from strength to strength, with their popular St. Mungo’s lager popping up in bars and restaurants across the city. WEST’s Bavarian cuisine is also exceptional and their bratwurst always perfectly accompanies the home-brewed pilsner.

WEST is a bar where the quality beer speaks for itself – without taking away from the friendly and knowledgeable staff. Even the owner, Petra, is often seen mucking in and working the floor, as was the case on Guy Fawke’s Night, the highlight of the year at the Brewery. With arguably better views of the council’s display than the masses gathered on the Green, WEST offers an outdoor bar on their balcony with fresh German hotdogs on the grill.

Of course, it can get manically busy in the hour leading up to the beginning of the display. But the organisation is top drawer and it won’t take more than a 5-minute queue to purchase an amazing pint of lager at a reasonable £3.50.

Call me a humbug but the one issue that worried me was the number of children in the bar. Yes, I understand that 5 November is primarily for the kiddies, but there was a fun fair and live music suitable for families less than 10 minutes walk away at the Glasgow Green event – the WEST venue was far too busy with tipsy revellers for toddlers to be wandering around with sparklers. (Moan over).

It may practically be a year away but all readers are urged to get Bonfire Night 2012 at WEST in their calendars. This really is a special night at a well-run, well-staffed and well-stocked establishment that is fast becoming a Glasgow institution.