Introducing - Mic Dover
From The Free House Pub, Nelson
Nelson is at the heart of New Zealand's hop growing region and
is the epicentre of the Kiwi craft brewing industry. The Free House
is Nelson's first pub of its kind. Their motto "set the beers free"
means they offer patrons an endlessly changing menu of local and
national craft beers.
What is a free house? Unlike a tied-house, a free house is a pub
that is owned independently of the brewery (or breweries) that
supply it. As a result, a free house can stock whichever beers it
chooses from whichever breweries it chooses. Free houses are rare,
as the majority of pubs are tied-houses.
The Free House is a pub for people who don't go to pubs anymore
- They offer a safe, convivial community pub , a roaring
wood-burner rather than a glaring TV screen, chess, draughts,
table top games rather than pokies and a real acoustic piano
instead of a stereo. Welcome back to the art of good conversation
and YES, they do stock local wines as well as beers!
1. What are your role and responsibilities at The Free
House?
Owner - I do a lot of back office stuff like marketing,
booking bands, pub admin and occasionally some beer quality testing
- someone has to do it!
2. What's the first thing you do on a Saturday
morning?
I secretly listen to Kim Hill on National Radio using ear
buds while pretending to watch my kids play football.
3. What are you reading at the moment?
Flat Earth News' by Nick Davies - it's enthralling if you're
interested in how the mainstream media operates- and 'Worth Dying
For' by Lee Child. Also, the latest Jack Reacher adventure -
Reacher's my favourite psychopathic hero of the universal
underdog.
4. If you were to be stranded on an island, which three
things would you take with you?
Sun cream, bite cream and ice cream. Or my wife and
two children (it says here on this bit of paper my wife just handed
me).
5. If I invited myself over to your house for dinner,
using only the contents in your fridge right now, what would you
make me?
A mildewed carrot milk shake.
6. Where would you rather be right now?
Right now, Nelson hits the spot for me - otherwise I
wouldn't be here!
7. What advice would you give to your 15 year old
self?
Never own a pub.
8. If you could only ever go one place in the world on
holiday for the rest of your life - where would it be?
For an overseas holiday it would have to be renting
a cottage within walking distance of The Pot Kiln pub in Frilsham,
Berkshire, UK. Especially in July when the meadow is blooming and
West Berkshire Brewery has Mr Chubb's Lunchtime Bitter on tap.
Heaven!
9. If you acquire one new skill within the next 24
hours, what would it be?
Remembering customers' names!
10. What's one thing most people do not know about
you?
I never ever wanted to own or run a pub, I just
wanted somewhere to go that offered choice, comfort safety and some
decent craft beer - The Free House did not exist so we had to
invent it!
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