Once you have a good selection of content up and the beginnings of a userbase, you could facilitate user generated content by which users could document and review their favourite pubs. Some sort of link-up with Google maps would allow the creation of pub crawl maps linking pubs with specified beverages, musical/entertainment types, ambience/community/cultural identifications etc. - that even a blind drunk could follow. (Of course there could also be related safety, traffic hazard, and health services info!)
A database of videos of pubs would add life to wordy descriptions and snap shots.
When you reach critical mass you could charge pubs for "featured" entry and breweries for ad space for their products. Your site could link up with hostelling, couch surfing, music, gigging, public transport, and other related infotainment sites.
The ambience would be informal - lots of scope for virtual pub chats, soap box orations, and the blathering of blithering idiots. However there could also be more serious fora for chats on sport, politics sex and food - what normally goes on in pubs but what you could do online on the nights you can't go out.
users would be able to choose their own favourite site/pub décor - modern lounge, cocktail bar, Irish pub, traditional ale house. You would try to build communities of like minded connoisseurs - the Caol Ila Brethren spring to mind.
A complaints section could deal with dirty lines, filthy toilets, rowdy customers, and poor service. A bar tender of the Month feature would interview favoured proprietors.
Above all you would guard your independence jealously. Most drinking sites are run by marketing agencies, drinks companies, and hospitality chains. You would seek to become the Wikipedia of Pubs - I see someone out there already has a proposal for a Wikipubs.com.
But your site wouldn't just be a pub guide. It would be about the drinking experience and the conversations and experiences which flow from that.
You would need an IT partner and ideally a graphic designer to get the whole thing looking good ultimately - but many people could bring bits of expertise to the community.
But its your personality that would ultimately sell the whole thing - its about real people having fun and not necessarily just about the venues and the products and services they offer. notes from no w here
What I'd suggest for Helen is that it is based upon 'Helen' as a character, who is very opinionated (but mostly right) about beer, and the site contains a growing catalogue of all the world beers reviewed. It starts with Helen's reviews, but trusted user content will be needed later. It can be done on a hobby basis to begin. (Which it is already).
Each entry would need a photo of the bottle and etiquette, and maybe what it looks like in the glass. Getting the photos is a problem - but users could help. Users should be allowed to agree or disagree with Helen's reviews. Maybe a rating system too.
Each beer entry needs to be searchable on various criteria: type, brewery, country of origin, quality, availability etc.
Later on there could be reviews of beer advertising, licensing laws etc etc. But it starts out simple.
The business model would be based on breweries, importers, pub chains etc (suppliers) paying for exposure to the site's loyal users. The more users there are, the more valuable the audience becomes. There me´needs to be a clear distinction between independent reviewing and ads or features. The site should never compromise on reviews to suit advertisers. You can't be me, I'm taken
But I also would likeextensibility to my ethnic shopping guide, which london seriously lacks keep to the Fen Causeway
After getting enough exposure, Helen would receive beers from the producers anyway.
The only thing about the look in the glass is that many beers have their own glasses. Then Helen would need to ask the producer for a picture -I don't see that as much of a hurdle as it's free exposure for them. Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi
In my experience of many beer drinkers - maybe even most - people are quite loyal to their beers. There may be more than one they like, but you can also guarantee that all beer drinkers have beers they won't touch. I think this 'pride in their brand' would be a strong motivation to contribute to the site. You can't be me, I'm taken
Plus, it's beer in the pub that matters, cos that's real ale; a significant determinator in the UK. However I have some strong words to say about bottled beer in the UK which I am beginning to suspect isn't quite what it seems. There is a certain supermarket whose bottled beer always disappoints and I'm beginning to suspect foul play. keep to the Fen Causeway
Just believe in it and I'm sure it would work.
"Plus, it's beer in the pub that matters, cos that's real ale"
Why that, though? You know a lot about other beers as well, so why limit yourself? I'd sure read what you have to say about Belgian beer, even though they are the ones I know best. And even UK beer, well, as you say you have things to say about bottled beer (I agree it's doesn't taste the same as in the pub). People would want to know. Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi
