Greene King announces pint glass amnesty ahead of predicted summer shortage
The company says stocks of the sand, used in the manufacture of glass, are at an all-time low. A combination of global warming, coastal erosion and political unrest in the Middle East have all impacted on the sand mining industry, putting enormous pressure on supplies. Sand pits are stretched and stockpiles, or dunes as they are more correctly called, are shrinking fast.
Sandy Dhunes from Greene King explained: “Owing to the impending glass shortage, we are asking our customers, past and present, to return any glasses they may have accidentally taken home. We know it happens. After all, who among us has not at some stage in our lives been out for a few drinks and next day found a pub glass that has somehow made it home with us? I suspect if everyone opened their glass cupboard this morning to check, the majority will find a rogue pub glass tucked away somewhere towards the back.”
Bring your own
“I would urge anyone who has a pub glass at home to bring it back today. Otherwise we may have to ask customers to bring their own drinking vessels next time they come to the pub.”
The message from Greene King was one of many surprise announcements this morning. They included the unveiling by Fuller, Smith & Turner of the world's first beer pipeline. Starting at Fuller’s home in Chiswick, The Griffin Pipeline will stretch to its new Heathrow airside pub – London’s Pride at Heathrow’s Terminal 2: The Queen’s Terminal.
Passing through 8.3 miles of pipes, under the M4, London Pride will be the first ale, indeed the first beverage, to be transported by pipeline directly to the pub. This revolutionary transport will deliver London Pride directly from the hands of the brewers to the pump that serves the pint.
Soggy boozer
Meanwhile, Brains is set to open the UK’s first underwater pub in Cardiff Bay.
Aqua Nova will be situated five metres below the surface and accessed via a jetty, located a short water taxi ride from its sister pub, the Brains-owned Terra Nova. With panoramic views of the Bay, the aquarium style venue will offer customers a once in a lifetime experience.
Timothy Taylor's also announced their new Tour de France inspired blonde beer, Le Champion, will be brewed with extra body.
Head Brewer Peter Eells explained: “We want to produce a French style beer that people will remember so we’ve added frog's legs to the brew to give it extra ‘Hoppiness'. This is Timothy Taylor's with a touch of Ooh La La!"
