It's all about context

"Hophead?"

That was the greeting I got at The Dolphin in Eastbourne yesterday evening.  Not from a friend I was meeting but from the lady behind the bar.

I like The Dolphin. We go there quite frequently when we're in Eastbourne because they have decent beer and nice food.  Last night we were there because S was off back to Hitchin, The Dolphin is pretty close to the station, it was cold and wet out and it's a pub that has an open fire.

We'd been there on Friday evening, but I certainly wouldn't call us regulars.  So the greeting came as a pleasant surprise.  She was right, of course.

S opted for Brakspear Oxford Gold and that choice got an approving nod from the only other customer.  In fact it prompted an hour or so of pleasant chat on the subject of breweries, the take over of same, pubs closing, beer festivals and other related matters.

...and that's one of the reasons I like trips to the pub, especially with S.  It was a good pint - not the best ever, but it was good...but the evening was all about the company and the atmosphere.  What a nice evening.