This Saturday 4th July 2020 is the day we have all been waiting for. Our pubs are finally back open.

Those of you that know me well will know that I am passionate about British pubs and the part they play in our culture, in communities and in bringing people together. Yes, I’ve been dreaming about my first pint for weeks but for me the pubs have always been so much more than just a place to enjoy a pint.

My first experiences of pubs are where I grew up in the Black Country and some of my best memories are of those early days visiting pubs. Where I’m from the pub is a community, it’s an extension of your front room and maybe even your family. The Black Country pub culture gave me my obsession with beer and there would be no Beavertown without my first experiences in those pubs.

When I stepped off tour 8 years ago, my dream was to open a brew pub, not a brewery but a pub. The brewery and everything we do here is a real dream come true, but running my own pub – Duke’s Brew and Que – is one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Bringing people together and giving them the best time they could possibly have was brilliant and we nailed it.

What’s more, the brewery started off in a rice pan in the kitchen of that pub, Nick was a waiter designing our cans on the side and before we knew it we no longer had just a pub, but a full on brewery called Beavertown on our hands.

I think you get what I’m saying – pubs have given me and Beavertown a hell of a lot. But, they have also given you a hell of a lot. Think of the times you’ve had in the pubs, the people you’ve met, the experiences you’ve had that wouldn’t have happened anywhere else, your favourite barman, the stories and memories they’ve given you.

The last few months have been incredibly difficult for the pubs, probably some of the hardest they will have faced. When they reopen their doors on Saturday we need to be there waiting as they open. Let’s show them our support, and be there for a pint on Saturday so they can thrive once again.

We’ve also been thinking about how we can help the pubs as they get ready for when they reopen and for Beavertown it’s not just about making sure they have beer in the taps, but also about helping them prepare for the changes in how we all behave. We want to help pubs make that experience as good as it can be and first up we’re tackling the queues. You can read more about that here.

Anyway that’s enough from me. On Saturday, please get down to your local. And enjoy a pint. It’s been a while.

Cheers, Logan