Fuller's launches a pint of London pride into space

The brewer will set off a weather balloon to carry a pint of London Pride 40km into the atmosphere, reaching the stratosphere.

The balloon, filled with hydrogen to maximise altitude, will then be tracked as it makes its journey into space and back down to earth.

The launch will take place on Saturday 5 July from the White Swan in Whitchurch. The pub will have a map displayed on a monitor in the pub to record the pint’s progress.  

Chris Smith, the rocket scientist behind the mission, said: “The idea of this unique mission just came from a chat with Pete and Ros [tenants of the White Swan] who jokingly ask if it would be possible. Of course, I said yes.

“I have worked on many rocket launches as part of scientific and commercial programmes; however, it is exciting to send the first London Pride into space. Test launches of our balloons and payloads have gone well. We are predicting that the beer will boil and possibly explode on its ascent, which will make for thrilling watching back down on earth at the pub when we retrieve the on-board cameras.”

Ros Bangs, tenant of The White Swan, said: “We were tired of seeing every village pub go ‘gastro’ so we decided to go ‘astro’!

“Seeing as London Pride is our top seller what could be better than celebrating our locals’ favourite tipple by sending it stratospheric.”

Entertainment will be provided through the day at The White Swan, including a barbeque, tug-of- war, cornhole competition, charity raffle and live music from 6pm-9pm.