BOTTLED BARGAINS TO BE HAD IN BRIGG BUT FOLK CAN'T WAIT FOR PUB BEER GARDENS TO REOPEN

The retail term 'flying off the shelves' is evident in Brigg when it comes to bottled beers. With trips to the pub ruled out in recent months due to lockdown, many real ale devotees have been buying their supplies from shops licensed for 'off' sales and then consuming them at home while watching what the TV companies have on offer. Not much, some nights, we have to point out!
Our Tesco store's 'four for £6' offer has being interesting and attracting many customers; take your pick from a wide range of top-notch bottled ales from legendary producers.
Brigg Blog was surprised and delighted to spot Bateman's renowned Lincolnshire-made Triple XB ale among the selection early last week and took some home to enjoy. This is widely regarded as one of the best ales, and at £1.50p a bottle, a real bargain!
A few days later we went back to top up supplies, only to find a solitary gap in the extensive display. Sadly, all the Bateman's had been snapped up!
For some years in the last century this Wainfleet-based brewery's hand-pulled ales could be enjoyed from the pump at Brigg's Britannia Inn.
Just around the corner from the 'Brit' today, the Nisa Local convenience shop, on the corner of Queen Street and Bigby Street, also has a decent range of beers by various top producers - three bottles for £6.
Aldi, Lidl and B&M in Brigg stock some fine bottled ales, with Aldi's American IPA going down very well for the princely sum of £1.09p a bottle!
Clearly, due to a variety of commercial factors, Brigg bars will be hard pressed to match shop prices when they finally reopen from April 12 for outdoor 'table service' only.
But even if they have to pay more for their pints, many locals will be very keen to get back to licensed premises (rather than in them) and have a socially-distanced chat with friends over a pint for the first time in many weeks.
Fingers are already being firmly crossed for some dry weather and hopefully mild temperatures for this time of year.
All Brigg's licensed premises have beer gardens of varying sizes, permitting them to reopen from April 12 if they choose to do so. When the first lockdown ended last summer, not all did so immediately.
As the big day draws near, Brigg Blog will be posting details to let our followers know.

PICTURED: Bottled beers recently bought in Brigg - Harper's American IPA, from Aldi on Bridge Street, and Bateman's Triple XB and Yorkshire-brewed Timothy Taylor's Landlord, both from Tesco on Barnard Avenue.