The Firkin Saga

Ready to raise a glass to an entrepreneurial adventure like no other?

Step into the wildly entertaining world of David Bruce OBE, an unconventional entrepreneur, and legendary founder of Bruce’s Brewery and the Firkin pubs brand, who took the brewing industry by storm. In The Firkin Saga, he shares nearly 60 years of beer, business and bold decisions.

In 1979, David defied the odds, opening London’s first pub in a century to brew its own beer – The Goose & Firkin – and proving his doubters wrong. What followed was a whirlwind of international ventures, charitable endeavours and a fair share of triumphs and setbacks.

From pub brawls to boardroom battles, this memoir is packed with incredible stories that shine a light onto the brewing industry and the remarkable career of a highly successful entrepreneur. Along the way, David shares invaluable business lessons, many learned the hard way, from trusting your instincts to mastering the art of delegation. And it’s all told with the same wit, irreverence and generous splash of humour that made his pubs and beers unforgettable.

If you love a great business adventure – or a good pint – this book is a real eye-opener. So, grab a drink, settle in and say “cheers!” to a story that proves how success is best served with a small side of fun and mischief.

'Always interesting. Always fun. Never dull. This is a really good read.'

-Rt Hon the Lord Benyon, GCVO Lord Chamberlain

'So much more than a memoir - this book draws out the essence of what it means to live life to the full.'

-Laura Farris, former Member of Parliament for Newbury

'Not only an entertaining book but also a useful guide for the budding entrepreneur.'

-Dominic Walsh, former business editor for the leisure and drinks industry at The Times

'David Bruce reached a generation and inspired a mood, and this book explains how he did it: imagination, determination and sheer hard work.'

-Rob Dean, CMG President, Kennet & Avon Canal Trust

'This is a memoir of how to make the impossible happen.'

-Sir Simon Jenkins, former editor of The Times and former Chairman of the National Trust

'A fast-paced and instructive account of how David Bruce earned his title of ‘The Prince of Ales’ and played a key role in the global craft beer revolution.'

-Steve Hindy, cofounder of the Brooklyn Brewery and author

'One of the best books on beer, and on being an entrepreneur, ever! I devoured the whole thing in one sitting.'

-John Hickenlooper, founder of the Wynkoop Brewery and United States Senator for Colorado

Always interesting. Always fun. Never dull. This is a really good read.

Rt Hon the Lord Benyon, GCVO Lord Chamberlain

So much more than a memoir - this book draws out the essence of what it means to live life to the full.

Laura Farris, former Member of Parliament for Newbury

Not only an entertaining book but also a useful guide for the budding entrepreneur.

Dominic Walsh, former business editor for the leisure and drinks industry at The Times

David Bruce reached a generation and inspired a mood, and this book explains how he did it: imagination, determination and sheer hard work.

Rob Dean, CMG President, Kennet & Avon Canal Trust

'This is a memoir of how to make the impossible happen.'

Sir Simon Jenkins, former editor of The Times and former Chairman of the National Trust

'A fast-paced and instructive account of how David Bruce earned his title of ‘The Prince of Ales’ and played a key role in the global craft beer revolution.'

Steve Hindy, cofounder of the Brooklyn Brewery and author

'One of the best books on beer, and on being an entrepreneur, ever! I devoured the whole thing in one sitting.'

John Hickenlooper, founder of the Wynkoop Brewery and United States Senator for Colorado

David Bruce has enjoyed an extraordinary career as both an international entrepreneur and a philanthropist. After his early days in the world of beer at Courage and Theakston breweries, David struck out on his own, founding the eponymous Bruce’s Brewery and the first of its Firkin pubs in 1979.

Following their sale in 1988, David not only co-founded and invested in several craft breweries across the globe, but also eleven new pub companies in the UK, as well as developing the Slug & Lettuce chain of bars.  He also created The Bruce Trust to provide canal holidays for disabled, disadvantaged, or elderly people, and was awarded an OBE in 2021 for his services to charity. 

He credits his wife, Louise, with supporting all his business and charitable ventures over fifty-two years of marriage, as well as during the writing of this book.

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