Greene King IPA: 100,000-pint award

01-Nov-2011 - Last updated on 12-Mar-2017 at 00:17 GMT

Unstinting: loyal Greene King IPA drinker Dave Root receives his engraved tankard from Geoff Liyanage of Greene King and Wayne Evans, licensee of the Royal Oak, Essex

A 93-year-old Greene King IPA drinker has been awarded an engraved tankard by the brewer and pub operator for his loyalty.

Dave Root has an estimated 100,000 pints of Greene King’s most popular ale to his name, having been drinking it at the Royal Oak in Halstead, Essex since the age of 18.

Root was recognised by his local landlord Wayne Evans and Greene King at the Royal Oak, where he was presented with the tankard.

Commenting on the award, Root said: “This is just wonderful — I’m overwhelmed. I never thought you could receive recognition for just enjoying a pint!”

Royal Oak landlord Evans added: “Dave really is part of the furniture. He arrives every day and enjoys his favourite brew and we thought his loyalty to the drink and the pub needed to be recognised and to do just that on his birthday.

“It’s great to have him as a customer — it certainly keeps my cask ales sales up.”

Business development manager for Greene King, Geoff Liyanage, said: “Greene King wanted to say a big thanks to Dave for drinking and enjoying our beer and pubs for so many years.

“He knows a decent pint and a good pub when he sees them and this was just a way of sending our gratitude.”