Pub crawl to the ends of the Earth

02-Jul-2017 - Last updated on 03-Jul-2017 at 13:48 GMT

Planning for a pint: the trappings of an adventurous trip

A team of adventurers are going to the ends of the Earth to find the world’s northernmost and southernmost pub or bar - all with the help of a Dartmoor brewery that is on the hunt for new styles of beer.

The Dartmoor Brewery is hoping that en route the team will discover and bring back new styles of beer that can be reproduced in the UK.

Dartmoor Brewery managing director Richard Smith said: “We are all very excited to see what beers Pub2Pub find en route, which will enable us to discover and brew unique beers from around the world for our customers here in the UK. We wish them the very best of luck."

The intrepid quartet, led by writer Ben Coombs, are embarking on a 30,000 mile pub trek taking in 22 countries, three continents and several ocean crossings.

The charity Mind, which supports people with mental health problems, will benefit from monies raised and the team are encouraging other groups to set up their own adventures to help the charity, as long as whatever they do starts and ends at a pub. They have set up a Pub2Pub website.

“It’s going to be amazing” said Coombs. “So amazing, it’s got us thinking: ‘why should we have all the fun?’ Shouldn’t everyone have the chance to put together their own Pub2Pub adventure?

“And that’s what this is all about; to encourage everyone to come up with their own unique take on the Pub2Pub concept.

“As long as the adventure starts in a pub, and finishes in a pub, anything goes. Travel by car, kayak, paddleboard, or paraglider; hike, climb, cave or coasteer – whatever your passion, make it your trip. We only ask one thing: when you reach that final pub, head over to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/pub2pub , and buy a round for Mind.”

The northernmost place the adventurers are heading for is a bar deep in the Arctic and the southernmost in ….well, Coombs isn’t sure. “We think the last licensed premises on the planet will be nestling not far from the storm-strafed waters of Cape Horn, probably near Tierra Del Fuego. We’ll have to go looking for it.”

Coombs insists the aim is not to go on a massive drink drive pub crawl. But they may be able to bring back some samples for the brewery.

The Dartmoor Brewery will be making a donation to the expedition with every pint of their Dartmoor Legend beer sold in the Dartmoor region.

“With this in mind, the more pubs in the area we can encourage to stock said beer, the better!” said Coombs.