Steve Charnock has launched a new lobbying group called CRAFT – The Campaign for the Return of Asking for Foster's Tops. With membership currently at one, he is calling on everyone to join him in reclaiming the simple pleasure of ordering a lager top at the pub.
Why the Foster's Top Matters
Charnock argues that during a hot summer, a Foster's Top – or any lager top – is more refreshing than complex craft beers. The world's simplest cocktail, it combines just enough lemonade to take the edge off a claggy beer, making it perfect for sweltering days. He believes it tastes nice, which used to be a principal requirement of any drink.
Yet, asking for one at the bar can feel embarrassing, as if admitting to something childish. Charnock contends that people have stopped ordering what they really fancy and instead order what peer pressure dictates, often uttering 'the usual' out of muscle memory rather than informed choice.
Reclaiming Your Choice
Charnock encourages drinkers to ignore Instagram trends and friends' green-tinted snobbery. He suggests ordering a white wine spritzer on a Tuesday if that's what you fancy, or a Tia Maria and Coke as a nightcap instead of a single malt. Even non-drinkers should feel free to order an Appletiser instead of an expensive alcohol-free IPA.
According to Charnock, the landlord isn't judging – they're just happy you've bought something. Whether it's a Guinness, a Top, a shandy, or a fluorescent blue cocktail, it all adds up when the till closes. The only exception is a pint of tap water.
The Bigger Picture
CRAFT is not just about Foster's Tops; it's about the radical idea that if you're spending a significant amount on a drink, it should be one you actually enjoy. Charnock notes that the world is adept at making decisions for us through algorithms and social pressure, but what we order at the bar remains entirely our own choice.
He invites readers to join the movement, with the first AGM to be held at The Devonshire pub. The campaign aims to remind people that they may as well order what they truly fancy.
