Earlier this year, I received in the mail a copy of “Sociable!: The elbow bender’s guide to Maritime pubs.” If I recall correctly, I was under the deadline gun at the time and so never got around to offering a review of the book, although I did manage to peruse its chapters with interest on a plane bound for somewhere.
Allow me to rectify my omission: “Sociable!” is a good book, and should be considered essential material for anyone who finds need or occasion to “bend an elbow” down east, even if only a couple of times a year.
What I particularly like about this guide is that the author, Bob Connon, takes a common sense approach to the pastime of going for a pint. Beer is important, and so the draught and bottle menus of each establishment are listed, but Connon rightly won’t let that be the deciding factor, since not every worthy pub is going to have something to satisfy finicky beer drinkers. This beer drinker, who can be as finicky as the next guy, has been known to pass the joint with the great beer selection in favour of drinking wine or spirits at a bar with wonderful atmosphere, and I suspect Connon has, too.
But even if you refuse to patronize a pub with fewer than a dozen great taps, “Sociable!” will still do you right, since breweries and brewpubs are noted and remarked upon, and multi-tap establishments like Maxwell’s Plum in Halifax are also given pride of place. Where appropriate, Cannon also sees fit to comment upon the back bar spirits and food menus, so no matter what your need or desire, you’re sure to be able to find a suitable pub somewhere.
In short, if you live, work or even occasionally play in the Maritimes, “Sociable!” should keep your elbow bending both regularly and happily.
Who to give it to: Maritimers, real or would-be, and their guests.
Buy it at: SSP Publications or the usual outlets.
