Drinking a pint of your favourite tipple while setting the world to rights has been a tradition dating back centuries.
But against a backdrop of an industry in decline triggered by rising tax, supermarket pricing, the smoking ban and the recession, pubs have been closing at a record rate in recent years.
Despite the doom and gloom there is still much to celebrate about the impact the pub trade has in Exeter and the surrounding area.
That is why today we are launching a new, hopefully annual, contest to unearth the Express and Echo Pub of the Year.
Judging by how hard locals fight to keep them – and how big a hole they leave once they have gone – pubs remain at the heart of our communities as a place to meet, eat, drink, socialise and fund raise.
To give venues the recognition they deserve pub-goers can now nominate their favourite watering hole with a brief explanation of what makes theirs the best pub around.
A full list will then be published and readers can vote for their favourite via coupons that will printed over the next few weeks.
CAMRA has offered its backing and Ray Dwan, who is the secretary of the Exeter and East Devon branch, said: "Pubs are very important to a local community and have plenty of spin offs. They are a place for meeting people and the site of various activities and entertainment from pool to darts and quizzes. Many do very good food now as well.
"The industry is still struggling and there are approximately 20 a week closing nationally. The problems are that tenants have got so many out-goings with rent and restrictions on the beer they can buy.
"Sadly we have lost many of the good pubs and it is always a big loss to the community. We are faring better than many inner-city places with closures but we haven't been without losses.
"Your competition sounds like a great idea and we would back anything that supports pubs. Despite the doom and gloom there are a lot of good things to celebrate and we should recognise the good pubs and the positive steps taken within our communities."
Among those who know what it is like to live without their be-loved pub are the villagers of Stoke Canon.
They lost it for 18 months until they decided to group together and form a community pub that opened two years ago.
Bar manager Ken Bowden, who is the pub's only employee, said: "Things are going very well and the trade is very healthy. The pub was closed after two previous landlords could not make a go of it as the overheads were so high as it was tied to a particular brewery. It was an unviable proposition but now we are on a very sound financial footing with a bit set aside in reserve.
"When it was closed for 18 months everyone was sat around scratching their heads as a village without a pub is not really a village.
"It is the heart of the community. And people did not socialise as much when it was not around. They would not see people the way they do now.
"People now come from all over to support us when they hear we are a community pub.
"I think our model is definitely the way forward. It is the only way to go with a struggling pub. It is a tough environment but it is vital people support their pub. Otherwise they will lose it. We would definitely support your competition along those lines and hope to attract a few votes ourselves."
The list of pubs that have called last orders for the final time in Exeter in recent years makes sobering reading. They include the Admiral Inn that was converted into affordable homes in July 2007, the Golden Lion Inn was closed, Bart's Tavern shut in 2003 and was converted into apartments, the Honiton Inn shut in 2008, the Lazy Landlord was demolished in 2002 and is now apartments, the Paper Makers' Arms closed in the 1990s and the Red Cow Inn, closed in 2002 to be later demolished.
The Pack Horse Inn, the Riva Nightclub, Seamus O'Donnells, Tigga's Bar, the Showman and the Country House Inn within the city have also gone.
One that was almost added to the list was the Queen's Head that has stood in Pinhoe Road for 82 years.
It was saved after planning permission was denied by Exeter City Council who were presented with more than 1,000 objections to bulldoze it and replace it with a frozen food store. The current landlords, who say they were narrowly outbid in the original silent auction, said they could take over the pub themselves and run it as a viable community facility as they could remove the beer tie that comes with being owned by a major brewery.
At the time Becky Hicks, who organised the campaign said: "This place has been a lot of people's local for more than 40 years. I cannot believe they are trying to claim it is not a viable business when it is. This is not just a pub – it is like the local community hall."
That sounds like something worth celebrating.
Nominations so far: The Radway Inn, Sidmouth: My nomination for pub of the year would be, THE RADWAY INN, SIDMOUTH. This is what I class a real local. Always greeted with a smile on arrival. Top quality beverages, fantastic entertainment and a very friendly atmosphere. Teams in all pub sports and sky in stunning HD and 3D. Top that with live music most weekends and always great topical chat at the bar. Makes this the perfect local. Matt Ackrill. The Thatched House Exwick: There is always a warm welcome, whether you are a regular or not, great atmosphere with fantastic food at reasonable prices and a great selection of beers and wine; a real local pub! Nataliya Knott The Bishop Blaize, Commercial Road: Exeter Family driven pub, friendly and lively atmosphere, lots of live music, sports and suitable for everyone to enjoy. Leah Chadwick The Rising Sun in Sidford: The Riser as I fondly call it, is not just your typical local pub. The current Landlord and Landlady, Chris and Ceri Ward have been in charge for just over three years and have literally rescued the Rising Sun from almost certain closure. Although I look upon both of them as Landlord and Landlady, they are more than that. Friendly, always eager to listen to you be it whether you have had good or bad news and actively participate in all social events associated with not just the pub but with their locals. Mark Bathard