British Beer Wars Heating Up

Roger Black, owner of the Coat of Arms Pub, has been wanting to post a sign on the side of his Fleet Street establishment for several weeks proclaiming that his pub has been in the city much longer than the new British Beer Company that is set to open in May.

The sign reads: "The British have been here and supported the community since 1994!" The sign directly faces the new British Beer Company building, which Black believes fired the first salvo when it proclaimed in its front window, "The British are coming."

"In response to the sign, we just wanted to put out to people that we have been here and they are making it like we haven't been here," Black said.

Gary Simon, principal owner of the British Beer Company, has said he firmly believes his new British Beer Company pub on Hanover Street can co-exist peacefully with the Coat of Arms Pub.

"I really don't want him to look at us as the enemy, because we're not," he said. "We do not want to put him out of business."

Some Coat of Arms customers posted comments on the pub's Facebook page supporting the establishment:

"You folks have my business! Forget those imposters!" wrote Scott Sutherland.

"Let the tourists have the chain, we will be keeping it real at the COA," said Brian Hawker.

"Preemptive strike," said Scott Campbell.

"Or retaliation," added David Sakolsky.

"Let's start a 'boycott the Portsmouth BBC' group," suggested Jack Harden.

Simon said he was a little taken aback by some of the Coat of Arms Pub customers' Facebook posts.

"The reality is there is truly enough business for everybody just by working together," he said.

Simon previously told Portsmouth Patch that he hopes to open the new British Beer Company by May 1. When finished, it will be his company's 13th restaurant/pub, and he is spending $2 million to create the Portsmouth pub. Simon said he wants to have a good relationship with the Coat of Arms Pub as well as the city's other restaurants and bars. He believes there is enough business for everybody and said he hopes to reach out to Black and allay his concerns about his new British pub.

Black said he is not concerned about losing much business to the new British Beer Company because he has enjoyed a loyal following since he opened his pub in 1994. He believes people will notice the difference between the two establishments once Simon's pub opens later this spring.

"We're trying to create an atmosphere, not a theme park," Black said.