Pub Bitch: Balloons and bubbles
Balloons and bubbles
I like a good marketing stunt as much as anyone, but the Champagne must have gone to the heads of those at Taittinger when they decided to send a bunch of 'researchers' up to an altitude of 10,000 feet in a hot air balloon, just to see what happens to the bubbles in the drink. After initial samplings of five Taittinger Champagnes at ground level, the same Champagnes were tested again at 2,500 feet, 5,000 feet, 7,500 feet and 10,000 feet. The higher the balloon rose, the larger the Champagne bubbles became. I recall such facts being delivered in a CSE physics class many moons ago but the thing is, is it of any use to anyone? If you're planning on investing in a hot air balloon or climbing the Eiger, then I guess so…
Facial awareness
Beards. Long ones, bushy ones or neat trimmed affairs. Ones with birds living in them. Dontcha just love 'em? Personally I have no truck with facial hair, but I thought it only right to show what some people will do to get their photos published in Pub Bitch. Publican deputy news editor James Wilmore - who's been trying to grow some thatch on his mush for what seems like years - bumped into fellow beardy and professional loud person Brian Blessed recently, when the pair attended Greene King's head brewer's lunch in Bury St Edmunds. Blessed rounded off a predictably entertaining after-lunch chinwag with a flawlessly-delivered speech from Henry V, no doubt prompted by a telephone conversation he'd apparently had earlier in the day with one K. Branagh. Beer, beards and the bard. What more can anyone ask for?
On yer bike
Congratulations to Richard Kershaw, chief executive of Manchester brewer Holts, who should by now have completed a Land's End to John O'Groats cycle ride with 13 bicycling chums. He hasn't just schlepped up the country on a whim, however, but in raising funds for a new cancer treatment suite at Salford's Hope Hospital. Prevailing winds accounted for the South to North route apparently, and part of the journey took in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, where the demands of pedal power would doubtless have come into their own. All those hills; it doesn't bear thinking about. As with any self-respecting brewer Kershaw stopped overnight in pubs along the way and as an added incentive, whoever raised the most money from the trip was in line to receive his weight in Holts beer. Scales anyone?
Neil Robertson: desperately seeking on-trade bikers...
Staying on a two-wheeled theme, that nice Mr Neil Robertson, head honcho at the BII, is organising a charity motorcycle ride in July and is looking for fellow on-trade bikers to join him. Taking place on July 22 and 23 the ride will take in the charming country roads of Sussex. It will probably involve drinking beer at some stage and with any luck will raise some cash for the Licensed Trade Charity to boot. If anyone wants to join Neil, who rides a Yamaha R1 (is he mental?! Ed.) and our own city & business editor Hamish Champ (Triumph Sprint), email your details and a note to say you're 'game' to Margaret@bii.org. An itinerary will be sent out nearer the time.
Publican hoping to leave his footy fans floored
Admittedly it's not everyone's cup of tea, but some pubs are going the extra mile to celebrate the looming World Cup. Ted Etheridge, manager of the Cross Sports Bar in Stourbridge, has turned much of the establishment's floor into a football pitch. Ted (pictured) manages the pub and has recently held Q&A evenings with 1966 World winners including Sir Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters, Gordon Banks, Jack Charlton and Nobby Stiles. He is erecting a marquee in the pub's car park to cater for more than 400 England fans who are expected to pitch up to watch this summer's festival of football. "We can't wait 'til June 12, when we play the USA," said Ted. "We are going to have a full house." C'mon England!!!
