Steak in ale pie tops list of most popular pub mains

Steak in ale pie is the most popular main course in pubs, according to the Good Pub Guide, which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary.

The guide surveyed around 650 pubs to come up with a list of the most popular main courses. They were:

1) Steak in ale pie (18%)
2) Fish and chips (often beer-battered) (15%)
3) Non-beef pies (fish, chicken and ham, venison, rabbit, wild boar, goose or duck) (8%)
4) Lamb (7%)
5) Pork belly (6%)
6) Steaks (5%)
7=) Sausage and mash (2%)
7=) Ham and egg (2%)
9) Curry or balti (1%)

Meanwhile the guide also revealed that the average price of a pint of beer had hit £3, although brew pubs serving their own beer had been able to keep that down to £2.50.

There was also a considerable divide between the North and the South, with beer in the North costing 30p per pint less on average than in the South-east and London.

The average price of a pint of bitter in different regions was:

Scotland: £3.11
North-east and Yorkshire: £2.87
North-west: £2.87
East Midlands: £2.99
Wales: £2.90
South-west: £2.95
East of England: £3.04
Heart of England: £2.88
South-east and London: £3.15

Michelin awards nine new stars in England >>

British banks failing hotel industry, says new Good Hotel Guide >>

Two pubs still closing every day but free-of-tie faring better >>

By Neil Gerrard

E-mail your comments to Neil Gerrard here.

If you have something to say on this story or anything else join the debate at Table Talk - Caterer's new networking forum. Go to www.catererandhotelkeeper.com/tabletalk

Catererandhotelkeeper.com jobs

Looking for a new job? Find your next job here with Catererandhotelkeeper.com jobs