Epic excursion to Bohemia

A band of brothers (so to speak) has completed the longest journey — a visit to the Budweiser Budvar brewery — in the face of almost impossible odds. The impossible odds included damaged wheels on a Czech Airlines plane which necessitated another set being flown from the Czech Republic and fitted before the party could leave Heathrow. This meant being trapped at Heathrow's Terminal 2, which as everybody knows is like somewhere on the outer circle of Dante's Inferno, for six and a half hours. Although hosts Budweiser Budvar suggested aborting the trip, such was the enthusiasm of the Budvar customers they insisted that they were determined to get there whatever the odds. In the end they arrived in Prague just after one o'clock in the morning (instead of at 5.50pm), did an overnight there and managed to arrive at the brewery (a fairly gruelling two and half hours into the South Bohemian Boondocks) early the next morning.

SIA still behind the times

Here's an insight into the administration problems experienced by pub doorstaff regulator the Security Industry Authority (SIA). The SIA admitted it has not yet cleared up delays in the licensing process for supervisors in a letter to trade group Noctis. The letter is addressed to Jon Collins (misspelt John Collins), chief executive of the Bar, Entertainment & Dance Association. That group was renamed Noctis earlier this year and Collins — current Noctis chairman — hasn't been CEO for two years. "It doesn't especially inspire confidence," said Noctis executive director Paul Smith.

Pub banter parrot fashion

Smoking ban naysayers who claim the legislation has ruined pub atmosphere may want to pay a visit to the Gardeners Arms in Keighley, West Yorkshire. Now the air has cleared, the licensee has taken the opportunity to introduce a new regular to the pub in the form of an African grey parrot! The bird sits in its large cage at the back of the pub and mimics the sounds of old men coughing and grumbling, mobile phones ringing and a catalogue of other cheeky chirrups. The exotic avian has proved a hit with customers at the pub, where there is now never a dull moment...

Painting the town Red Stripe

Snifter was overjoyed to be a guest of Red Stripe at this year's Camden Crawl, the London music event showcasing up-and-coming bands. A great time was had by all, as the party wandered from venue to venue checking out chart successes of the future. Special mention should be made of the Red Stripe campervan, where bands performed to the delight of the throng. Snifter's colleague, PubChef senior reporter Lucy Britner, had a particularly enjoyable time later on, despite accidentally being dropped head-first by an over-enthusiastic dance partner at one venue (don't worry — she's fine now).