Ken and Kim Taylor challenge patrons to try the Snakebite, a specialty pint that Ken says is rarely served in England anymore because “it gets you drunk.” Half Harp Lager and half hard cider, the Snakebite is a dangerous combination of sweet and strong.

By Amber Williams

As we know it today, the old expression, “Mind your P’s and Q’s” means to be on your best behavior. How fitting that the century-old phrase would originate in a tavern by English bartenders. When things would get too hairy in the pub, the bartender would tell his unruly patrons to: “Mind your pints and quarts!”

Limey’s Pub in West Des Moines is the perfect place to do just that. In fact, in honor of true British culture, Limey’s serves its more than 100 imported beers by the pint (that’s the actual 20-ounce glass, as opposed the American 16-ounce version). According to the owners, no other West Des Moines bar can compete with the vast selection of imported beers available at Limey’s, which focuses on British ales from England, Ireland, Scotland, Belgium “and the Welsh,” co-owner Ken Taylor advised in a dampened British brogue. “Everybody seems to forget the Welsh.”

Taylor spent most of his life in pubs in Birmingham, England, where his uncle ran several bars throughout the years. He ran a few, too, though he spent most of his time “on the other side of the bar,” he said. Years later, he moved to Des Moines for work and met his wife and business partner, Kim Taylor. Today, they are the owners of the oldest patronage in the strip mall among Hy-Vee, Goodwill and others.

“It’s a nice, little hideaway, sort of secluded, so you almost have to know where it is to find it, and we like that,” Ken said. “It’s a local pub.”

A “local pub” in England means something different than just a bar that’s located nearby. Where he grew up, there’s a pub on every corner. Giving directions in Birmingham, for example, might involve taking a left at the Turks Head, going past The Bull and taking another left at Whimsey’s.

“That’s how we give directions there,” he said. “The streets aren’t named and laid out the way they are here.”

A “local pub” in England is one where you regularly belly up with friends. It’s “your bar,” and that’s what Limey’s is to its many loyal patrons.

“That’s what we try to project here,” he said.

Home to authentic British foods and libations, as well as décor ranging from a Yoeman of the Guard Beefeater statue to a poster of John Lennon, Limey’s also has its own homegrown traditions, including two New Year’s Eves (adding one at 6 p.m., which is midnight in England), a traditional St. Patrick’s Day celebration, and it’s also the “official unofficial” venue for the Marine Corp. birthday bash in November — a tradition started by Jarhead customers 12 years ago.

“We have some fun traditions — that’s another good part about this place. It’s just a lot of fun,” Ken said. CV

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Limey’s Pub and Grub

1970 Grand Ave., West Des Moines

222-0476

Hours: 11 a.m.-2 a.m., Mon.-Fri.; 9 a.m.-2 a.m., Sat.-Sun. (breakfast 9 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Happy Hour: 4-6 p.m. ($2 dom. bottles, pints, wells)

Capacity: 160-200