Lies and statistics

A survey for a publicans' trade paper has revealed that the average price of a pint of bitter (or "real ale") in London has now exceeded £2 a pint for the first time. If this is the first time this has happened, the survey must be conducted over an alarmingly small number of pubs on the outskirts (either that, or they are using some statistical "average" which did not form part of maths at schools (i.e. add up the prices and divide by the number of pubs)). This must be the case as, although being a less regular bitter drinker than I was in the days when life was less hasty and the beer was more tasty (i.e. when I lived in York), I cannot recall the last time I paid less than £2.20 for a pint. If anyone can enlighten me (on both where to find a decent pint, and where to find one that costs £1.99 or less), all comments gratefully received. The possibility of using this as a theme for a pub crawl has just flashed before my eyes. Thought for the day gleaned from this article on the BBC website. The caption next to the fat bearded bloke is possibly the funniest thing ever to come out of a BBC news item.