Surprised American Sam Smith Drinker!

[yank ale drinker]

As an American I've drunk many bottles of imported SS ale, stout, porter and lager over the years and recently have had the chance to visit a number of their London pubs.  I was always treated courteously, and while the food was nothing special, it was a special feeling to spend time in SS pubs.

This forum is eye-opening.  I had planned to take my best friend to London and hit many SS pubs, but reading the worker and landlord griefs makes me want to change my mind. 

I have not noticed any grumblings from London SS pubs -- are they treated better than other English ones?

I know my question and concerns seem naive, but it seems preposterous that the brewery is on this suicide mission to kill what is a decent product.

I'd appreciate any info or background on the ownership's onslaught of its landlords and workers - thanks!

[night-owl]

This is interesting as we had one of you lot in today - with his Obama/Biden t-shirt proudly displayed!  - I couldn't help overhear him note;

"Look, Sam's!" *pointing to the beer clip*

But this was not in London, a pub way up north in the brewery's home county Yorkshire.

And infact its not that uncommon from our cousins from afar come visiting.  Some are / or with relatives of expatriates and some are acquainted with Smith's through exports to America.  A google search on 'Samuel Smith's' brings up, about three results down, a website of the company charged with SS in the US.** http://www.merchantduvin.com/pages/5_breweries/samsmith.html

I wouldn't say we are treated any different than pubs in London, but I'm not able to confirm this.  Different areas, different managers, different area-managers all have there, sorry... differences.  

What I will say for certain, yankee-doodle;

Please don't let what you read on here affect in any-way your decision to come over to sup' some real ale. I admire your solidarity with us embattled employees but with your continued support maybe those who control our fate will finally realise what such a great product-line they already have. That they can really sell well, even internationally.
 
If this site is successful as I think it could be, we could see a change yet.  Please stick around.



**Google ranks popular search-terms and there results, my guess is there is a significant number of American drinkers searching for a bit of information on Smiths and now with the burgeoning popularity of this site, they will be directed here.

NB. Just Samuel Smith, no possessive-plural in the States?

[jackrussel]

Dear Yank- thanx for coming and having a go at Sam's. What good taste you have, sir! It is an almost unique item now- a surviving (hopefully thriving?) UK regional independent, along the lines of many others that have gone to the wall over here in my part of the world- tragically. I will mention Wilsons, Boddingtons, Websters, Higsons, Oldham, and others. I would suggest Smiths management look to their position now there's a recession, and really get their game in order as they could come into their own now, by virtue of their low price beers. They really could. There is grief within their employee base, for sure, and you will read that much on here. But, please take what you read and compare it with what you see out on the ground. Additionally, I personally don't mind the food issues either, as the price reflects the quality and its no worse than the Wetherspoons chain; in fact it's a whole load better. But, here's the thing- the BEER! You know what you like, which is good, and I cannot but agree. If you ever get the chance, try and get out in the provinces, especially the north-west, and you will find the beer is better than any London outlet can ever be. Glad you liked what you found, mate! I'll be hammering it tomorrow, food an' all, and I am going to bloody well enjoy it! I always do- long may it last (but I'm holding my breath!) When you come back, drop me a line, I can advise where to go if you need it......Dave