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40 Even on a cold, quiet night in that dead-of-winter time after the holiday season, there's a place brimming with life in the heart of downtown Hingham. For 12 years now, Ed and Ellen Brown have welcomed people to their cozy little pub for a warm meal, a pint, a chat with friends, along with some great music. "We try to be the local gathering place for the town." The Snug, like all the best Irish pubs on both sides of the Atlantic, is the go-to neighborhood local in Hingham. That sense of "ownership" means something different to every person who feels at home there. Families gather for dinner while enjoying the regular Monday night Irish seisiún led by South Boston native Skip Toomey. Young adults home for the holidays know they'll run into old friends when they drop in. It's not unusual to see all kinds of informal business being discussed at one table, while nearby a group of old friends may be enjoying a relaxing lunch. Ed Brown points out that "We're on-premises owners; we're present, in the environment. I think our customers like seeing the owners taking pride in what we do." Ellen was born and raised in Hingham, and Ed has lived here for 25 years. Over the years, the business has grown, Brown said. "I see a lot of new families with young kids coming in. We're not a typical chain – we have a personality." From the beginning, the Browns wanted their pub to be a place where customers would feel comfortable and enjoy a quality meal. Consistency is the key to their popularity. Ed says "We have a great dinner crowd. We want to be consistent – fresh fish, fresh beef, good quality ingredients, quality service. A lot of [our success] has to do with our friendly staff. They've been with me for a long time. It comes down to a staff being knowledgeable and engaged." Long known as the "Home of the Perfect Pint", The Snug was also one of the first local pubs to support the craft beer movement. With 14 draft lines, The Snug has always offered a wide selection of beer on tap. While many people come in specifically for the "Perfect Pint" of Guinness, Brown said he rotates 3-4 lines seasonally for craft beers. In addition, there's also a great selection of hard to find craft beers in bottles. A big believer in buying locally, Brown's craft beer selection supports local craft brewers along with others. Some of the better known local brewers include Cisco in Nantucket, Wachusett Brewery in Westminster, Slum Brew in Somerville, and Harpoon in Boston. The Snug also supports Hingham's Entitled Brewing Company, part of Eat Well, Inc. the Snug – Everybody's Neighborhood Local – Food, Friends, Craft Beer and "The Perfect Pint" S E 2014