THE SAYING goes that when you're tired of London, you're tired of life. And it would appear that many members of the brewing fraternity have, at some point, got tired of life.
London has always been a cosmopolitan city. Over the years a vast array of races, cultures and religions have made their way through the East End and into this vast metropolis, and there have always been thousands of pubs to quench the thirsts of London's travellers, tourists, residents and workers. And, to supply these pubs, hundreds of brewers.
The closure of Young's Ram Brewery in Wandsworth was not, as some might imagine, greeted with parties and fanfares here at Chiswick. It was more a subdued feeling of quiet reflection that Fuller's is the only traditional, family brewer left in London. It seems incredible that our capital city, home to some 10 million people, cannot sustain more than one sizeable regional brewer.
And look at the names that have been and gone - Whitbread, Truman, Courage, Watneys, Young's. Breweries that have since been turned into hotels, art galleries and luxury flats.
Of course, there are a number of micros springing up, increasing brewing capacity and producing excellent, interesting and innovative beers. And long may that continue - but I still find it strange that the great British brewing tradition is so poorly represented. If you are going to brew beer and run pubs, I don't think there's a better place to do it. Although not a native Londoner myself, I have been in the capital for some 25 years with Fuller's. And I love it.
Future plans
London is still a great barometer for the country. When the City boys are downing champagne and celebrating big bonuses, you know the economy is going well. When the City pubs are quiet, start saving your money - it's going to get tough.
We recently held a beer and food lunch for the media and organisations that operate in London, and it was interesting to hear their views.
The Olympics are going to offer some exciting opportunities for us all, but there are other topics that stimulated some intense debate.
The construction and benefits of Crossrail - a plan to link one side of London with the other via a new train network, albeit it due for completion in 2015 - were discussed, as was the forthcoming arrival of Eurostar at St Pancras, and the demise of the Waterloo terminal. But one of the biggest conversations was close to everyone's heart - the feeling you get when you cross any of the city's bridges over the Thames.
If you don't know what I'm talking about, I suggest you come and see for yourself. The consensus was that Waterloo Bridge probably has the best view - whatever the weather. And while you are at it, stop for a pint of London Pride in a Fuller's pub. We are still here, and here to stay. There's no better way to experience the London life, and I promise you'll never get tired of it.
John Roberts is managing director of Fuller's Beer Company, based in Chiswick, West London