Pub spy: The Mulberry, Mt Eden

The stylish decor hid a mortifying beer shortage. Photo / Doug Sherring

Address: 425 Mt Eden Rd, Mt Eden, Auckland
Ph: (09) 630 1588
Website: themulberry.co.nz
Open: Seven days 11am-late

I never thought I'd say this, but I've just been into a pub with no beer.

I know, it sounds like a joke, or a folk song, but it exists. Or at least it did when I went out for a wee tour around Mt Eden village.

Pulling the chariot up outside The Mulberry, I went in and was looking forward to a beer, since the sun was hot and the day had been vaguely traumatic.

It looked fine, all dark wood, brown leather and some lovely cabinetry behind the bar. The bar manager told us it was her first day and I thought no more about it until I ordered a pint of Guinness.

I asked whether she'd sold any that day and she said no, so I didn't risk it and ordered an Oranjeboom instead.

Oranjeboom? Oops, sorry it's off. Oh well, I'll have a Beck's. Oops, it's off, too.

By now I was getting desperate. A Mac's Great White, perhaps? You've guessed it - it was off.

Given that the only other beers on the bowser were Guinness or Speight's, I decided to risk the stout and - you'll hardly believe this - it gave out less than halfway through the pint. It was enough to make a cat sick, frankly.

After about 10 minutes, I got a slightly stale pint of Guinness and a bottle of Stella for the offsider (who couldn't make a decision given the ludicrous farce that our visit had been).

At $19.60 for two domestic beers (and they are made in East Tamaki, let's be honest), I thought that I was being ripped off, especially given the delays and the utter lack of choice available.

It was a shame, because it didn't look too bad, apart from the schizoid restaurant/sports bar set-up and the food looked fine and was very reasonably priced. I will be a while before I go back. I can only hope that the bar manager's second day was more successful.

Scores

Service: 3/5
Drink: 0/5
Food: 3.5/5
Atmosphere: 3.5/5
Overall: 2.5/5