> homogeneity and cutting costs Agreed that it's sad :-( In Belgium, most pubs (as in the physical buildings) are owned by one of three very large breweries.

> homogeneity and cutting costs Agreed that it's sad :-( In Belgium, most pubs (as in the physical buildings) are owned by one of three very large breweries. The rent is often steep, and there can be strict requirements on what drinks can be served. I suspect this is part of the driving force behind the decline of pubs.