bd - How about some mild? You can't get mild in a London pub! Other than that, rather than thinking about a barrel or two, is it possible for a publican to get a broader selection in smaller quantity at trade price (e.g. bottled stuff)? I'm an ale/beer man, & don't go much on 'bitter' so if you get a barrel of bitter, I probably won't try it past the first pint. But if you've got a range I'll try one of each (seshpeshully hif I *hic* ain't shtried 'em be*hic*fore...) before settling on my faves (assuming I'm not parallel by then! ;-) ). I suspect most beer lovers, most folkies (is there a distinction (shaddap Khatt!) between the two?) are much the same.

The CAMRA beer tent at Festival At The Edge is pure heaven precisely because, if one beer don't suit, I can finish it (of course, finish it! It's still beer, man!!) & move on to a different one...