Brewed by Empresas Polar Style: Pale Lager Caracas, Venezuela
Don’t know a whole lot about Venezuela to be honest, Hugo Chavez and his social revolution and that they tend to win a lot of world beauty pageants (6 Miss World, 7 Miss Universe, 7 Miss International and 2 Miss Earth titles: Thanks Wiki!).
So it was great to come across a Venezuelan beer at the local offy, called Polar with a very distinctive logo of a Polar beer, go figure!
Polar is Venezuela’s most popular brand made by Empresas Polar, the largest brewery in the country, founded in Caracas by Lorenzo Alejandro Mendoza Fleury, Rafael Lujan and Karl Eggers in 1941. Since then they have diversified into all kinds of industries, mainly in the food and drinks industry. The brewery produces other beers but Polar is by far the most popular, and can be purchased in America (if you search hard enough for it), but mainly on the holidays islands of Aruba and in and around Venezuela.
So they have the most beautiful women on the planet I wonder what kind of beer they have…..
Review: Bottle of Cerveza Polar: ABV:5.00%
The Polar Pilsner from Venezuela, the vacation beer perfect for the beach and served ice cold.
The appearance wasn’t too bad, looked good. On pour, a nice white head developed which quickly dissipated. The beer was a pale, yellow colour, and with some thin lacing
I found the aroma was pretty strong, a very acute smell, very sweet, of malts, grain, very citrusy. I did like the smell.
Taste was interesting. I did taste what felt like some fruit, lemon and apples. This beer tasted more like a fruit juice than a beer, very sweet.
Was very easy to drink, had a good flavour and taste on all fronts, grainy and sweet malts. Easy to drink, nice good mouthfuls, a nice feel on the tongue. Not a strong beer, and no strong aftertaste, but still pretty sessionable, with a very crisp, clean finish and smooth to drink.
Not a bad beer overall. Can imagine it must be nice sipping it ice cold on a beach near the Caribbean.
Directed by Jay Chandrasekhar Starring Jay Chandrasekhar
Kevin Heffernan
Steve Lemme
Paul Soter
Erik Stolhanske
Jürgen Prochnow
A lazy afternoon, raining outside and with not much on, I decided to choose a movie that had some beer related theme, so I picked the first one that came up on the googley, Beerfest
These kind of movies, “low brow comedies”, are always hit and miss. I had enjoyed “Dude, Where’s My Car?” (Even with that knob Ashton Kutcher in it) for example, but found “Euro Trip” horrendous.
So I don’t have high hopes for this movie. I am sure it will tick all the stereotype boxes as it is set in Europe in and around the time of the Oktoberfest in Germany. Lets guess there will be a lot of lederhosen and funny German names.
But let’s wait and see, to the movie……..
“Bring on the beer, they’ve got the nuts”, the “hilarious” tagline on the movie poster.
The basic premise of the movie is that two brothers (Wolfhouses) travel to Munich for Oktoberfest, to spread the ashes of their believed beer drinking grandfather, only to stumble upon a secret beer competition described as a “Fight Club” with beer games. The secret beer fest is run by Baron Wolfgang von Wolfhausen (Jurgen Prochnow, of Das Boot fame), who the brothers discover is a distant relative. The baron insinuates that the brothers grandfather was a thieving stable boy who stole a famous Bavarian beer recipe, and their grandmother was nothing but a prostitute. After making an ass of themselves at the beer competition, swearing revenge and honour they return to the USA to set up an American team to do battle with all those crazy Europeans at the next beerfest.
The motley crew that is assembled is an unlikely bunch, we have a male prostitute named Barry (Jay Chandrasekhar), a man mountain called Landfill (Kevin Heffernan) and a Jewish lab nerd with a Phd in beer, Fink (Steve Lemme), and the two Wolfhouses brothers, Jan (Paul Soter) and Todd (Erik Stolhanske). The five team members, are known as the “Broken Lizard,” comedy writing group, who have made a few similar movies of this ilk in the past. A lot of the movie is focused on This Magnificent five training hard for this fest, and those sneaky Germans trying to recover the stolen recipe. The movie ends with the ultimate battle of beer games between the Americans and the “krauts”, all rounded off in the “Das Boot” (Boot of beer) challenge!
Of course with Jurgen Prochnow we get a lot of Das Boot references, and Donald Sutherland guests at the start, as the Wolfhouses grandfather who drinks himself to death, while Willie Nelson also makes a silly pot related cameo in the end.
The movie scored a low enough 41% on the Rotten Tomatoes site, with an average rating of 5/10, but it did make a small profit at the box office taking just over $19 million in the US, from a budget of $17,500,000, thus cornering the frat boy beer swilling market for that year!
So is the movie any good?
I have to be honest I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did. The story is good for what it is, and I didn’t have to use up too many of my precious brain cells figuring out any plot lines here, but all the characters are pretty damn funny, and the movie is a good laugh. I really don’t get why it has got mostly negative reviews as for me, a drinker who likes the craic, there were definite moments in the movie that I could relate to, and some of the beer references were spot on.
The opening scene is a cracker. A can of beer cracked open, a bottle filled, the can chucked on ground. Classy, with the added on advisory to not to try and copy any of the drinking stunts at home, “Dont drink this much! If you attempt to drink this much, you will die!”
Overall, the characters are quite likable, and Yes I was actually rooting for the American beer drinking team (Go USA!). Most of the gang are drunk all the time, and most scenes are set in bars or drinking parties, so whats not to like? Inebriation all around: lots of falling down, hangovers, vomiting, beer conquests, beer games, beer fights, and tits, and lots of them.
The acting is pretty good too from all involved, with Kevin Heffernan and Jay Chandrasekhar putting in star performances.
The Germans (the “krauts”) are portrayed as angry, all the time, which is always funny, that and the way they use English: “It was ze greatest beer in all ze world!” I am sorry but that never gets tiring! (and I am currently learning German!)
Of course some scenes are silly. There is one scene with a frog and wanking, which is beyond moronic, and Landfill’s brother joining the gang just makes no sense at all.
Found the “different stages of drink” (drink, fight, singing, hangover, drink again) was brilliantly done, and the training tool on how to drink like the Germans was amusing, but the highlight of the movie for me was Barry’s conquest after a night on the town. Hilarious. And he didn’t give a shit! Just the way I like it!
A movie called BeerFest, well its not Hamlet, (actually that would be a good tagline!), you know exactly what you are going to get…..people guzzling vast quantities of beer, getting wasted, acting the maggot, and with a bit of nudity and puking thrown in, yeah that’s all good for me.
Its stupid, but its fun stupid, plus I was drinking when I watched it! So, if you are looking for a comedy with a lot of laughs to beat a slow Sunday, to recover from your hangover or whatever, then this is the movie for you.
Part 3 of the epic adventure of regular contributor Matt Bowen as he manages to free himself under the mountain of bureaucracy to start on his bike ride to Tibet
July 4th 2004
I had no idea what to expect. No idea whatsoever. Going north with the group felt like driving out into the country side. Leaving for Tibet on the highway felt like I was trying to escape. The day before I left I received an excited call from the foreign affairs officer Mr. Wang. “You must come to the office before you leave!”.
I had previously mentioned to Mr. Wang that I was planning on driving my motorcycle to Tibet and apparently it had just occurred to him that I might be serious. He handed me a piece of paper and asked me to list every place I plan to travel to and which hotels I will stay at. He wanted a detailed travel itinerary. I told him that I hadn’t booked any hotels, and I was bringing a tent with me. He stared at me like I was from another planet “You must give me your itinerary”. I told him I didn’t have one except to drive to Tibet and back. He told me “write down all the information you have, when you will return etc…” I grabbed the paper and wrote “I am driving my motorcycle to Tibet, I don’t know when I will return.”, signed it and bade him farewell.
Mr. Wang and I had our moments together. Though he would always smile at me when I saw him I’m not sure if he ever actually liked me. Mr. Wang was a short bald guy who wore wire rimmed glasses. He was around 45 years old and had extraordinarily rotten teeth I guess in large part because he chain smoked and drank tea all day long. He also couldn’t speak a word of English. At that point my Chinese language ability was still pretty basic so the majority of the conversations between Mr. Wang and I were through whomever was nearby and could speak some English. Sometimes it was an English teacher but usually it was a student. We made good use of the dusty old English/Chinese dictionary he had on his desk. It was never easy communicating with Mr. Wang.
I am not sure what exactly qualified Mr. Wang for his position as Head of Foreign Affairs or what his job was exactly but I definitely didn’t make it easy for him.
The winters in Baotou were brutal, and one of the biggest reasons was the general lack of heating. If a building contained no water pipes, like many of the school buildings, they were only minimally heated, and it was necessary to wear a heavy coat. And in many of the offices were placed a small coal stove that was perpetually heating up an old rusty tea pot. The smell of coal burning is distinct and sharp and it coloured the days and nights of winter in northern China. Mr. Wong’s office resembled his teeth, stained brown and faded with years of chain smoking, steaming tea kettles and the ubiquitous small coal burner in the middle of the room.
During the first few months at Number 9 Middle School I spent a lot of time in Mr. Wang’s office. I needed to get a criminal record check. I needed a health check at the local hospital. I needed to have my TESOL certificate and resume be notarized and translated and sent off to the police somewhere to be approved and stamped and issued a residence permit, a work visa and a foreign expert certification.
I was not the first foreigner to have worked at Number 9 but I was the first to be left alone. I was told that the previous foreign teachers lived in the teacher’s building on campus. I met many different foreigners while I lived in China. In Baotou, there were not many other foreigners and among the ones I met there was quite the range in personalities.
The first foreigners I met in Baotou were just before I left on my journey. I was sitting in a restaurant eating dumplings and reading a book when I glanced up and saw a white guy riding a bicycle past the restaurant window. I quickly paid the bill, rushed out of the restaurant and jumped on my motorcycle and caught up to him. He told me that he was living in Baotou teaching English at the other end of town at the 2nd rated high school in Baotou. We exchanged numbers and he invited me to his birthday party which was scheduled for the following day at a popular baozi restaurant “Gou Bu Li”.
At the party there were 5 or 6 Americans, they were all in their 30’s and 40’s, very religious – a lot of “gosh”s and and “darn”s etc.. – and were probably the most boring people I had ever met. Their conversation was almost entirely focused on complaining about the quality of everything compared to the US, something I find to be highly tedious. After our lunch we parted ways and I never heard from them again. I presume they finished their time in Baotou, went back to the states and from time to time tell a story about how awful it was in China, and how great the USA is, of course.
The previous foreigners at No 9 Middle School only ever left the school during school sanctioned and approved trips. Mr Wang was not prepared for my aggressive level of freedom, and I think was in a state of denial after I left. It was not until I called him from Xi’an, about a thousand km’s south of Baotou, that I think he realized I was serious about driving to Tibet.
Brewed by Brasserie Lefebvre Style: Belgian Pale Ale Rebecq-Quenast, Belgium (Brewed for Lidl)
The popular Belgian Lefebvre brewery have produced an Abbey beer called Abbaye de Oudkerken, which Lidl, the German discount chain, have picked up and now sell in a lot of their supermarkets on the continent. As far as I can find, “OudKerken” stands for Old Church.
Now there is some controversy about the proliferation of “Abbey beers” from Belgium. The connections between the Abbey and the brew are sometimes tenuous at best. Many breweries are falling over themselves to cater for this new small specialty niche in the market, abbey beers are cool. The marketing men have taken over. A river runs near to an Abbey, there we have a brew. An abbey was once here hundreds of years ago, good that’s the beer we will go with. And so on. Good luck trying to find the link with Abbaye de Oudkerken. Now some people get annoyed with this, yeah its a bit cheeky, but if its good enough beer then I am not so sure if I give a fig.
But I see there is actually an international body that looks over these important matters. The International Trappist Association have drawn up an official Trappist beer designation which amongst other rules states that an Abbey beer may be:
• produced by a non-Trappist monastery — e.g. Benedictine; or
• produced by a commercial brewery under commercial arrangement with an extant monastery; or
• branded with the name of a defunct or fictitious abbey by a commercial brewer; or
• given a vaguely monastic branding, without mentioning a specific monastery, by a commercial brewer. (ref: Wikipedia)
Review: Bottle of Abbaye de Oudkerken Pale Ale: ABV: 6.2%
Bought a six pack of these beers in my nearest Lidl in France. Couldn’t pass by, noticing that they were so cheap (As far as I remember about 50c for a bottle). I like beer, but I love cheap beer! It also had a very distinctive packaging which caught the eye
Appearance: On pour there was a clear golden colour with a nice white head appearing, which doesn’t last, and some lacing.
Phew, what a smell, hitting immediately on the nose. Hints of lemon, roasted malts and yeast, a very strong alcohol smell. Like it a lot, rustic, a killer smell, like a fire burning on the nose, and very sweet.
A very deep taste of sweet syrupy malts, a slight hoppy aftertaste.
Overall I liked this beer, not going to set the world alight, but for the price it was decent, and was easy to drink and enjoy. Didnt quite feel the 6.2% ABV.
A good beer considering the price and value you are getting.
Brewed by Brouwerij De Brabandere Style: Belgian Style Dubbel Harelbeke, Belgium
In 1894 a brewery was set up by one Adolphe De Brabandere, a farmer from the small village of Bavikhove within the Flemish province of West Flanders, in Belgium. It wasn’t until his son, Jozef took over in 1909 that things really started to move on, enlarging the brewery and changing its name from Brabandere to Saint Anthony. With the advent of the First World War things quietened down a bit until Jozef’s son, Albert, took over the reins of the brewery. This period (after both wars) saw a steady growth for the brewery, with sales expanding to include bigger retailers, and the name was also reverted back to the original Brabandere. Two sons, Ignace and Vincent took over in the 70s and changed the name again, this time to the Bavik Brewery.The beers were popular, and were gaining an audience.
With the unimaginable success of the local football team K.S.V. Waregem, who won the Belgian Cup in 1974, and reaching the semi-finals of the Uefa cup in the 85-96 season, the brewery was able to capitalise on the back of this success by releasing beers to coincide with the team’s success. Alas that team is no longer with us having went bankrupt in the early 2001.
In 2013 another generation took over, Albert De Brabandere. Yes another Albert! Albert increased the capacity of the brewery, modernising the plant and, in 2014, once again changing the name back to the original Brabandere! (I have lost count here!)
In these days of cut throat business mergers and hostile takeovers, it’s refreshing to see a family run business, now in its fifth generation of the Brabandere clan, doing so well and remaining one of the largest independent breweries in Belgium. But not only that, the brewery is also winning awards, a regular winner on the World Beer Awards, for all of its wide range of beers and ales. So this family brewery is definitely one to take note of when gawking at all the world beers in your local off license or from a certain German discount supermarket chain where I got my six pack!
Review: Bottle of Petrus Dubbel Bruin Ale Ale: ABV 6.50%
Petrus Double Brown Ale is a top-fermented dark beer. Brewed with pure spring water and carefully selected hops and malts.
The appearance was of a very dark and deep brown colour with a ruby red tinge, with a lovely creamy white head that sticks around, definitely looks the part, looks great. A very attractive beer! Didn’t notice much lacing, some carbonation.
There was quite a strong metallic smell, very strong, with very sour cherry notes, malts, and overall very sweet, can definitely smell the alcohol.
Had a pretty strong taste throughout, from start to the end, not much kick in the aftertaste, but having said that it was still very drinkable for me. Sweet tasting, with a lot of sugar, and of malts, cherry, caramel, and plum fruits,
Overall I liked this drink, found it very smooth and easy to drink, nicely balanced, and will definitely look out for it again in the future.
I have to be honest, camping isn’t something that I am big into, it doesn’t really appeal at all. And how would it, I am from the countryside, if I wanted to experience the airs and sounds of the country life then I’d just step outside the house!
(Or truth be told I am shite at putting up a tent)
A band I have followed for a long time, The Orthodox Celts were playing in Switzerland. This is a must see, but unfortunately it’s the other end of the country. And they are playing as part of the set-up of the Appowila Highland Games. So that explains the camping bit.
Buying the cheapest tent I could get, 35 Swiss Francs (24 sterling), me and my mate set off across the country.
I like Scotland, I like the Scots. I had lived there for a short while as a kid. But I have never experienced a Highland Games shindig. Don’t know what I think about this to be honest, it all seems a small bit twee, and contrived. For me Scottish culture is much more than this, it’s the people, the humour, the recklessness and fecklessness, it’s the music, it’s the great cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Dundee, and not least it’s the whisky (and the buckfast!) But not really the bag pipes and the skirts, or at least in very small doses. So what exactly goes on in these games?
A Highlands Games event is to showcase all traditional aspects of Scottish culture, especially that of the Highlands and revolves around athletic and sporting competitions with a bit of music and culture thrown in for good measure . Certain aspects are well known: The bagpipes, the kilt, some of the sporting events, the dancing, and the Haggis! The origin of the games goes way back into prehistory, thousands of years back but the modern Highland games are largely a Victorian invention.
The sporting activities include: The Caber Toss, where a long log is balanced and tossed forward in such a way that it turns right over, preferably in a straight line. Distance is not important more so the style and way it is thrown. Weight over the Bar: Using one hand, toss a heavy weight that has a handle over a bar. Tug of War: Two teams pitted against each other where they have to pull a rope to determine who is the strongest.
It must be pointed out that all competitors in these sporting events must wear a kilt when they compete, which is great for lovers of hairy legs and tweed (and that’s just the Swiss mountain fräuleins, ruff ruff!)
Music is also an important part of any Games, Bagpiping is the main deal here with the massing of the pipe bands considered one of the highlights of any highland occasion. All the pipers en masse march and play in unison, banging out all the classics! One bag pipe great, a whole mass of them, hmmm I am not so sure!
Of course in events like these you have a wide range of other activities and side shows such as clan tents, armouries showing off all manner of lethal swords and axes, highland dancing, Haggis eating, herding dog trials, and highland cattle showcases. Fun for all the family!
Highland games now take place all around the world. From the US and Canada where there are over 200 annual games, right up to places like Norway and Brazil.
And that takes us nicely to Switzerland, and to the Appowila Highland Games of 2015. Apparently they have been bringing a little bit of Scotland to this quiet part of eastern Switzerland for the last few years. Situated in the heart of Abtwil, the events attract over 15,000 visitors. Abtwil is a small town in the canton of St Gallen, which is important to note.
Important in that St Gallen city (about an hour from Zurich) was founded by an Irish monk Saint Gallus in the 7th century, so linking in nicely to all the Celtic culture we experienced in the region.
And even more significant it was Saint Gallus and the boys in his monastery, who were the first to brew beer in Switzerland. This all leading to Switzerland’s oldest brewery, set up in 1779 (the Schützengarten brewery), which also has a Beer bottle museum.
So we were bringing it all back home for our compatriot St Gallus, proving that the Irish were sharing the brews from time immemorial.
Also must mention the local football club, FC St. Gallen who play in the Swiss Super League. The oldest football club in Switzerland, founded in 1879, they play in green. I was lucky enough to see them play once, and have to say it was an awful lot of fun. The fans were uber friendly, and great craic. Must be the wearing of the green?
Back to the reason why we were in Appowila, to check out the one and only Orthodox Celts
From Belgrade in Serbia this Irish Celtic rock/folk band have been playing since 1992, but it wasn’t really until their YouTube video of “Star of the County Down” was uploaded around 2006 that the band started to get the recognition they so rightly deserved. From the video, shot in what looked like the Irish countryside (it wasn’t!), frontman Aleksandar “Aca Celtic” Petrović gives a superb rendition of an old classic. Aleks voice was deep and heavily accented but in a weird way it worked perfectly. The video announced to the world (Via social media) that Celtic music was alive and well in Serbia. The Orthodox Celts had arrived.
The band are popular in Serbia leading to a huge interest in all things Irish and Celtic, and they have even influenced other bands to take up the genre, most notably Tir na n’Og and Irish Stew of Sindidun.
It is a grand tradition of the band to celebrate St. Paddies Day with a large concert in Belgrade. The band also performs on the Belgrade Beer Fest every year.
In 2010 Bojan Petrović, lead singer of the excellent Irish Stew of Sindidun, joined Orthodox Celts, playing whistles and singing backing vocals, while also continuing to front his own band
It must be mentioned that they, have as of yet, not visited Ireland!
The Albums
In 1994 they released their first album, Orthodox Celts, featuring cover versions of old-style Irish trad songs. “The Irish Rover”, “Nancy Whiskey” and “Bog Down The Valleyo” the highlights for me, a good introduction to the band.
The next album, The Celts Strike Again (1997), the band continued with some great covers but this time included two of their own tunes (“Drinking Song” and “Blue”). They also did a few videos, one of which was “Star of the County Down”, and the rest they say, well, is history! The song going down a real treat. “Mick McGuire” and “The Wearing of the Green” are my own favorites from this album. One of the best renditions of “The Wearing of the Green” I have ever heard, love it, and gets me going every time.
In 1999 came arguably their best album, Green Roses, and with it a new break, now more than half of the songs were originals, albeit still mostly in the Celtic rock traditional style. In what must have given the band some pride the most popular songs from the album “Green Roses”, and “Far Away” were their own tunes.
“Gravel Walk” an instrumental, a great tune that builds to a crescendo, “Rocky Road to Dublin”, an excellent cover of an old favourite, and “Far Away” my particular favs in an album that works. Put it on and play it from start to finish, trust me you won’t be disappointed.
In 2002 came the next album, A Moment Like The Longest Day, and for this album only one song was a traditional number, all the songs penned by the band. A rockier album, “A Moment Like the Longest Day”, a haunting slowish number the stand out song of the album.
Their final album, released in 2007, One, Two… Five reverted a little back to the traditional songs, including an Irish rock classic, “Sarah” by Thin Lizzy, and giving a nod to their love of all things Celtic , “The Fields Of Athenry”, the popular football number!
Soon the band will be releasing their latest album, One / Milk & Honey
The Orthodox Celts are:
Aleksandar Petrović – Lead Vocal
Dejan Lalić – Octave Mandola, Mandolin, Back Vocals
Nikola Stanojević – Violin
Bojan Petrović – Whistles, Back Vocals
Vladan Jovković – Acc. Guitar, Back Vocals
Dejan Grujić – Bass, Back Vocals
Dušan Živanović – Drums, Bodhran
The Concert
After hanging around all day, mulling about mostly drinking strong Scottish beer that more than likely had whisky in it, and trying to avoid bagpipes, the stage was set for the Orthodox Celts. But there was a problem…………….they had yet to arrive. Nine o’clock came and went and still no sign of the band. We were hearing that they had an horrendous bus journey from Serbia via Hungary, and were running late. What with the refugee crisis in Eastern Europe, would they even make the concert!
The warm up band stated to play the same set again. Having listened to them in the bar a few hours previously,this was the fourth or fifth time I heard them murder N17 and other Irish classics.
Then the band came onto the stage around half ten, and proceeded to play a cracking full bloodied concert that lasted over two hours or more, got the crowd going and spread the love around for Celtic music. It was a great concert, full of energy, and I might have even partaked in some dancing.
Interview with Aleksandar, not long after the concert
So that was a tight deadline, wasn’t it?
You tell me, tell me your impression
Well you were on for 9 but you didn’t start until 10.30
You know we planned to be here at 1 pm. To make a sound check at half past 5, to have some kind of relaxed time before the gig and to start playing at 9
But actually everything went wrong, first we started our journey last night at 9.30 pm, there was heavy rain in Belgrade so we started to travel an hour later, 10:30
We went to Hungary, we were in Budapest around one o’clock
Those guys closed the highway. We lost two hours in Budapest, then we arrived at the border around 7.30 and were there until 1.30 pm (the next day)
We really were wondering shall we make it our not, actually we didn’t believe we would be on time,
We were ready to call the organizers to move the concert until tomorrow, but everything went ok
We came here at 9.05, so we did a sound check and then we started playing as soon as we can
The warm up band played some similar songs, but ye guys rocked it tonight.
The set list for this occasion, and for occasions like this, is always full of traditional’s, but when we cover other songs we try not to do as other bands do, we are trying to make it personal so maybe that’s why it sounds different.
The band before us, a great traditional band, but we make it much more rock
So where does the inspiration come from?
Me, personally, the start was my father, as I was little he was always listening to the Dubliners and stuff like that so I was used to listening to Irish folk, to Celtic folk, to Scottish folk
Later on I discovered the Pogues and that was the trigger . I can say that with pride just because they were the first to mix all those punk and rock stuff with folk
When you are listening to all those bands after the Pogues, just punk, the Pogues were much more than that
Why Irish music, because it was the most comfortable thing for me to express myself
You know when we are talking about music it’s a huge thing, I like classical, I like rock, I like punk, but overall I express myself through Irish music
You finally got the chance to play with Shane MacGowan, what was that like? (Exit Festival, Serbia, singing the Irish rover, 2002)
I cried, you can believe me or not, when he came onto the stage I was crying like a child
Shane was like, “what the fuck is going on”, why is he crying. It was great!
My wife was with me, she was like, “come on”, but I was crying!
I was trying to get in touch with Shane for some time before that and when they told me I would be on the stage with him it was, first, an honour, secondly for me something special, he is the one reason why I am doing this.
But actually the main impact on me is Ronnie Drew, not Shane himself, but Ronnie Drew it was his attitude , Ronnie was the main man, Shane was an inspirational person, the one who made me writing lyrics, but attitude, I don’t know how to say that but gentleman stuff was Ronnie
I always think that if I am Irish he’d be my grandfather, that’s it, I was so familiar with this person, just listening to him
The success of Star of the County Down video?
First of all you must know we didn’t start doing this because we wanted to be famous, this is what we are, believe me, Serbians are much in love with the Celts, I mean the ancient Celts, most citizens are from Belgrade, the Celts disappeared, sorry, but we are Celtic people, some-parts, so it was a reason why people feel what we feel
We didn’t know what it would sound like to be honest, I mean the greatest breakthrough of ours, Yes we uploaded ten years (after it was first produced), so when YouTube came around we grabbed the chance, and we did it!
A mention of Irish Stew of Sindidun.
Another band from Belgrade, following on the footsteps of Orthodox Celts, this Irish folk/Celtic rock band were founded in 2003. And like the OCelts, they cover both traditional Irish tunes and their own Celtic inspired songs. Bojan Petrović plays with Orthodox Celts on tin whistle and as a backing singer, but still maintains his main gig as lead singer of Irish Stew, who are still growing strong in and around Serbia.
The Albums
After finding some initial success gigging locally and getting positive feedback, the band decided to capitalise on this popularity by bringing out their first studio album, So Many Words….,in 2005. With only three traditional covers, most of the album was made up of originals, but it really is hard to say which is which. Patrick Malone, for example, is a fine tune, but you would never guess it was penned by the band, expecting it to be an old Irish classic. They also do a cracking version of the old rebel song “Black And Tans”
Their next album “Dare to Dream” released in 2008, continued with a couple of traditional songs but mostly originals. This is my favourite of their three albums. “Ditch” is a cracking tune, my favourite Irish Stew song, with a great video to boot. High foot tapping song that really gets me in the mood. (for drinking and all the rest!)
“Blessed and The Damned” and “Pile of Sins” are another of those originals that could easily pass for a traditional classic. I guess Irish Stew are contributing to the massive back history of rousing Irish songs, by adding their own tunes.
“New Tomorrow”is their third album, coming out in 2011. All numbers original but still keeping the Celtic style, but the feel of the album is more polished, a step up. Songs “Lady of Tomorrow” and “Take me High” the two most popular songs from the album that made an impression on social media. “Take me High” a particular soulful number, very melodic, where you can really feel the passion from the band for their craft. (The violin really stands out here)
Irish Stew Are
Bojan Petrović
Nemanja Jovanović
Ivan Đurić
Nenad Gavrilov
Aleksandar Gospodinov
Marko Jovanović
Managed to grab a short chat with Bojan off Irish Stew
Celtic music: Why? What’s the reason you play Celtic music?
Well it’s a simple answer, why not, we believe we all have the same Celtic roots back in Serbia, actually the Celts were there 1000 years ago
I listened to a lot of Irish music, I grew up with Irish music, I didn’t listen to Serbian music at all. I just heard the Pogues and that was that.
Why did you call the band Irish stew of Sindidiun?
Sindidiun is an old Celtic name for Belgrade, so that’s the reason
What was the first Irish song you tried with Irish stew?
I think it was the most popular traditionals like Whiskey in the Jar, the Irish Rover and stuff like that, then after we did some covers and then we decided to make our own songs and do that
Playing with the Orthodox Celts, did those guys give you much help?
Yeah yeah, of course They were the first band in Serbia playing the Irish music, so they were also a big influence and I’m proud to be member of the Orthodox Celts as well (on OC front-man Aleksandar) What a great singer and a great person
If I go to Serbia, is there really a deep love for Celtic music, is the connection really that strong, the connection?
Yeah, historically yeah, the Celts were all round Europe they actually founded Belgrade, before the Romans, they set up the city
What’s the ingredients for a good Irish Song?
A good energy, a bit of happiness a bit of sorrow, that’s basically an Irish song, ha ha!
What’s your favourite song that you composed?
The Lady of Tomorrow, from the latest album. When I wrote this song I imagined she was from Ireland!
Closing comments
Brilliant concert, and great to have a small chat with Aleksandar and Bojan, they were both really friendly, chilled and it was cool to see and hear their obvious passion for Celtic-rock and folk music. It was a pleasure to meet the guys, and I appreciate them taking the time to have a quick word considering how tired they were after a hellish bus journey and a rousing concert with not much rest in between. Hopefully thisdrinkinglife.com can try and get to see them both in Serbia next year. Watch this space Belgrade beer festival 2016!!
Check out the two bands on Facebook, Twitter and the rest
Brewed by Rye River Brewing Company Style: Range of small batch beers Kilcock, Co. Kildare, Ireland
Drinking in an Irish beer session can produce a lot. For most of us it gives us a stomping hangover, and a not so pretty toilet the next day. But for three lads, Alan Wolfe, Niall Phelan and Tom Cronin, this drinking session gave birth to a great idea. Now I have loads of great ideas when I am on the gargle, but unlike them I have no experience with the likes of Molson Coors, Guinness and Heineken, as the aforementioned have. Bored with the uncompromising corporate world, and wanting to try something new and exciting they decided to buy a brewery.
So in late 2013 Rye River Brewing Company was established in the small commuter town of Kilcock in Co. Kildare. The company borrows its name from a river that passes through the town. Starting off with 3 they have quickly jumped to about 50 employees, and for one simple reason: Success.
Their flagship brand, McGargles, has proved very popular, served in 250 bars round Ireland, exporting to about 15 countries including the USA (into 150 pubs in New York) and Canada, and winning many awards along the way including eight medals at the International Beer Challenge in London.
But that doesn’t tell the whole story. The brew team have the extensive experience in the drinks industry that is required to make this work. Niall is ex-Molson Coors, Alan ex-Diageo, and Tom ex-Heineken. The company’s Head Brewer, Alex Lawes is well respected within the industry and is a 3rd generation Guinness brewer, and they have a Yeast Expert in Preet Singh, all amongst a team of about 50 making Rye Brewery the success it is.
They have built a state of the art brewery, the first 100% Irish made brewery to be built in over 100 years, and invested heavily in the brewing team and technology with the ability to produce high quality beers. Having one of the most advanced breweries in the country is not enough though. Soon they hope to have a 5,000 sq ft visitors and conference centre opened. They also plan to open their own bottling line saving on imports.
They also distribute for well-known brands San Miguel and Bavaria, along with craft beers Coiso from Denmark and Innes & Gunn from Scotland.
They have brought a little humour to an industry that is in danger of taking itself too seriously. One has to only look at the beer snobs and hipsters throttling the life out of what should be a fun market. Go onto any beer forum and be amazed at the seriousness of it all. Christ its beer, no need to take it too heart. Take a chill pill, or in fact have a McGargle’s Granny Mary’s Red Ale!
The McGargle’s Irish Family Beers have been a sight to see in the stalls of shops and off licenses with its unique and striking imagery. A range of small batch beers that include IPA, Irish red ale, lager, stout, pale ale, and wheat beer. Each beer has a story, representing a member of the typical Irish family with its own unique personality and tale to tell. That and the clever tagline “You can’t choose your family but you can choose your beer!” It all looks great, and definitely stands out. I love this. Usually an Irish beer will play up the stereotype twee shite, the shamrock and all that, but this is something a little bit different. It’s very different, yet still typically Irish, the dysfunctional Irish family that we can all relate to…….Granny is head of the family, the mad uncle, and a hyper daughter amongst the rest. There is one or two in every family, or at least a less extreme version of that.
For Kilcock this exciting new venture is a return for the town to past glories. Kilcock which takes its name from the 6th century Saint Coca who founded a church in 550 A.D beside the Rye River. Even though Kilcock is a small town in Ireland it is quite well known, mostly as it is a town that many recognise from the bus or train making a stop on its way to Dublin. Also the town was a major trading centre from as far back as the medieval period thanks to the Normans who laid it out as a principal trading centre. As the Normans were experts in building successful towns, holding markets and fairs and in trading, well all that work builds up quite a thirst. Over time several small brewing and distilling industries popped up in the town. The first official record of Brewing & Distilling here dates back to May 1595. In fact on one occasion Kilcock was home to five breweries, two whiskey distilleries and two malt houses.
With the opening of the Grand Canal in 1796 further increasing trade into Kilcock, trading agricultural goods off to Dublin by barge, 6 distilleries opened to facilitate in this new found enterprise.
All this history means something. The town of Kilcock has the brewing heritage and in what was once Kelly’s bakery dating from the 1700s Rye River Brewery found a location to call home. One would like to think that the brewers of the past are looking down kindly, gently pushing the team into making top class beers. For the future Rye Brewery want to be the best little beer business in the world.
They also want to involve the people of Kilcock in their meteoric rise. They are creating jobs, fuelling the local economy and bringing a much needed boost to a forgotten town that would love a return to the grand old days of prosperity. People now have a reason to visit the town. People tend to forget that breweries are big productions, bringing much need revenue and employment into a town.
But apart from their expertise the team have the passion and the love of their craft.
One thing I must commend Rye Brewery is their effort to get the general wider public involved in the craft beer revolution. They provide hop kits, and offer help and advice to people who are seriously interested in home brewing, and are attracted to the brewing business. They want to involve the general public into the process. If you can’t bring the beer to the people then bring the people to the beer!
I feel that Rye are an Irish version of those Scottish scallywags Brewdog, showing a lot of fighting spirit, with a hard nose for business, but all done with a healthy dose of humour. It’s great to see how fast that Rye have risen, and the future looks dead exciting for both the people of Kilcock and the wider beer community in Ireland. Perhaps the McGargle Family might lighten up a bit?
For more on Rye Brewery and all the exciting work they are doing, please have a listen to this excellent podcast with 11PMSomewhere interviewing Niall Phelan, one of the founders of Rye Brewery. 11PM Somewhere Podcast
The McGargles Story
The island of Leannclann is more than just the home of the McGargles Brewery. There you’ll find cantankerous auld ones, swearing dwarves, ambiguous lotharios, flirty daughters, and out-of-control hippies. This is just what the McGargles call family.
McGargles has come a long way from the family bathtub where it was first brewed, and weary travellers thirsty for a drop often brave the danger for a taste of the legendary brews. Although most are never seen again, on quiet nights, whispers of “one more pint” can be heard on the wind.
A McGargles family night out has been known to bring whole towns to a standstill. Don’t be afraid to join in though. Everyone is welcome in the McGargles family, as they say: you’re at your Granny’s now!
You can’t choose your family, but you can choose your beer.
Review: Bottle of McGargles Granny Mary’s Red Ale, Irish Ale 4.4% ABV
Granny Mary is as fiery and strong as her malt-driven Red Ale, and is known for her temper, which is as bitter as the hops that balance it. With the arching of an eyebrow she could make or break your day, and for some reason, just plain refuses to believe in dolphins.
A popular brew with Rye’s customers. Brewed with earthy Fuggles Hops and a combination Vienna and Cara Munich Malt.
The appearance showed a very dark deep reddish colour with a slight thin white head.
A really nice aroma of pale malts, caramel and toffee, lovely.
Taste: A light bodied taste of caramel that lingers on the tongue. Not a strong taste, a bit grainy, but an easy enough beer to drink, easy and light on the palate, and light bitter finish. Clean and nicely balanced.A good introduction to the McGargle Family range of beers.
Review: Bottle of McGargles Knock Knock Ned’s India Pale Ale 6.5% ABV
Knock Knock Ned, like his brew, spent years entertaining crews of Merchant Seamen. Don’t be fooled by his height – this world renowned pirate impersonator with his two wooden legs, is as hoppy as his Indian Pale Ale, and equally as rugged.
Ned’s IPA is balanced with three types of specialty malts. Rich hops, Cascade, Target and Hallertau to give this IPA a distinct and unique flavour.
The appearance was one of a dark reddish amber colour, looked nice, with a decent enough white head that doesn’t stay around, leaving some lacing.
A slight aroma of malt and floral hops
A lot of depth to this beer, a lot going on with the taste buds. The taste is sweet and malty.
Found it to be a very strong tasting beer, that had a very sweet bitter aftertaste. A beer I enjoyed drinking slowly, noting the6.5% ABV that can be felt throughout! Overall not too bad, a good strong beer to enjoy unhurriedly.
Review: Bottle of McGargles Fancy Frank’s Lager, Pale Lager 4.5% ABV
A clean, full flavoured and somewhat fruity lager.
Pours a light straw coloured appearance with a small head, a pretty standard looking lager.
Aroma is sweet and smelling of malt
On taste I got a lot of fruity flavours, full of fruit in fact.
Tasting of malt, the fruit and very sweet. A crisp lager, short sharp, and did the business.
Review: Bottle of McGargles Cousin Rosie’s Pale Ale 4.5% ABV
Cousins Rosie’s Pale Ale perfectly balances bitter citrus fruit notes with a caramelised palate. It’s a strong, hoppy Pale Ale with a well-rounded finish. Just remember, Cousin Rosie drank it long before it was cool.
Cousin Rosie’s Pale Ale perfectly balances bitter citrus fruit notes with a caramelised palate
On pour a pretty good looking beer appears, a nice dark amber ale with a decent white head that leaves pretty good lacing. A looker!
The aroma was also pretty good, a smell of fruit and malt. A good ale smell
Taste the fruits, the citrus, and of the hops with a slight aftertaste. This beer had great depth to it, a nice good feel. With a lot going on in the taste, its good to take your time over this beer, appreciate the tastes, take a good mouthful, and enjoy.
Decent enough beer, I certainly liked it, and will be eager to give this one another try in the future.
Review: Bottle of McGargles Uncle Jim’s Stout 4.5% ABV
A smooth, well rounded stout.
As you would expect for a stout it has a dark black coloured body with a good sized frothy white head which sticks around. Looks the part.
Aroma wasn’t too strong, faint malts, and caramel.
Absolutely gorgeous taste of chocolate throughout in this stout, loved it. Dark malted, toasted, and coffee on the taste buds. Not a heavy drink, pretty easy to drink. The chocolate lingers long in the mouth.
Would really love to have a crack of this stout on draft, must be very pleasurable! One to check out again for the future.
Overall, I enjoyed the Stout and the Pale Ale the most, while the gang I was with went with the Red Ale. I will definitely try and get that Stout on draft, if possible, and it will be interesting to see if there are any new additions to the McGargle family in the future.
(Hot off the press: Rye Brewery are currently in the process of moving to a new and improved location………….so watch this space!)
Brewed by Ceylon / Lion Brewery Limited Style: Imperial Pils/Strong Pale Lager Biyagama, Sri Lanka
A beer from Sri Lanka? Now there is a novelty. And the beer bottle looks enticing too. A big lion on the bottle looking angrily at me, “buy me, roar!
Lion beer
Lion Brewery is a Sri Lankan owned and operated brewery that produces Lion Lager, a bestseller in both Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
The Ceylon/Lion Brewery was the first brewery established in Sri Lanka. In 1849, Samuel Baker, the famous British explorer and officer, set up a small brewery mainly to cater for the local expats and other well to do types who were making their money on the tea plantations in the beautiful cool climate of Nuwara Eliya, with its perfect natural spring water. It was only until 1881 that the brewery started to get serious and began brewing on a commercial basis, with the Ceylon Brewery Company officially taking over the operations.
In 1993, the Ceylon Brewery was took over by Carson Cumberbatch & Co Ltd, a diversified group of Sri Lankan businesses. This group turning the brewery into Sri Lanka’s leading beer brand. This success didn’t go unnoticed and in 1996 the Carlsberg Group acquired a 25% share in the brewery.
To note, the company is called Lion Brewery, with the Ceylon Brewery remaining as a holding company.
Also the brewery now has its headquarters and operates out of the town of Biyagama, just outside the capital Colombo, with the Nuwara Eliya operations now closed.
The brewery rules Sri Lanka with an impressive 82% of the market share, and apart from the extra strong lager they also produce a regular lager and a stout. Lion can be bought in the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia amongst others.
Review: Bottle of Lion Strong Lager 8.80% ABV
A Gold medal winner in 2012 from the Monde Selection, the Michelin Guide version of beer, the lager came in some pretty impressive imagery, the bottle showing a very intimidating lion face. I guess signifying strength and prowess. Perhaps his name is Cecil?
On Pour we have a dark golden colour, with a nice sized white head that dissipates quick enough, leaving pretty good lacing . Looks decent, like a proper beer.
Got a very fruity aroma, an apple and a lot of sweet smelling malts. The smell was quite strong, all that fruit!
For a lager that is 8.8%, it was very well hidden, not feeling the true strength at all.
There is a very fruity taste to this beer, very overpowering. The taste lingers in the mouth, very sweet with a good grain taste. Some bitterness in the aftertaste.
Interesting beer alright, could actually be a decent session beer considering the ABV. as it was very easy to drink. I had four of them, and was fine! (I think!).
As it was summer and I had a bit of time on my hands I decided to head over to Luxembourg to get in a new ground and see UCD of Dublin play F91 Dudelange in the Europa League First round. The first game in Ireland ended 1-0 to UCD so the stage was set for an exciting second leg to see if the Students could hold out and progress.
Here is my trip in video form
UCDAFC, or University College Dublin Association Football Club, play in the second tier of League of Ireland football, and are a semi pro team that mostly use players who also attend the university. Many players avail of the opportunity to earn a degree while playing top class, or relatively top class football. Before this game UCD’s claim to fame was running an Everton team close in the European Cup Winners Cup in the 1984/85 season, a team that had the calibre of Southall, Sheedy, Sharp, Reid and Gray in its line-up, going down just 1-0 in aggregate.
Also more importantly it is said that Socrates, the legendary Brazilian chain smoker and sometime footballer, played for the team when he was a student of UCD back in the day.
(Even though I love to dream, that’s unfortunately more than likely an urban myth)
F91 were formed in 1991 from the amalgamation of three clubs, Alliance Dudelange, Stade Dudelange, and US Dudelange, who all had varying degrees of success, but it was hoped that a new club would be financial viable and more successful on the sporting field. Which was proved right as F91 have won 11 national league titles since the year 2000.
In European competition they will be remembered as the plucky Luxembourg team that knocked out Austrian champion’s Red Bull Salzburg from the 2012–13 Champions League. A result that was quite unexpected considering the relative sizes of both nations leagues.
Had organised a good deal with two bars before the trip. Justin from the Tube Bar had offered me a cracking deal on shots and draft pints, and he got in contact with the Irish bar for me, PYG bar, who also offered bottles at a discount.
Now the sad thing is I wasn’t able to visit both bars at all over the day/night. Which was a pain in the hole.
I simply couldn’t find the Tube Bar, and the PYGlooked closed when I passed it in the middle of the day, and later was far too much of a walk away to check it out. Virtually no signage or street maps at all on the streets of Luxembourg.
Thanks to Justin anyway for the effort
And I will definitely check it out both bars next time I am in the Duchy
Check out the Tube bar and the PYG
Bistrot Le Journal Bar n Café 31 Avenue de la GareL-1611 Luxembourg
On arrival in Luxembourg City, the first bar and the first beer (first draught!) was in Bistrot Le Journal Bar, just around the corner from the train station. Was early afternoon, but had a good lively crowd in the bar. Nice décor, old floor, and a bit of chat with some of the customers. Had my first pint of Bofferding, the local brew. Truth be told it was disgusting. I figured that it was a bad pint, as later on in the day I found that Bofferding wasn’t that bad.
Just had the one, but heh sometimes you can get an unlucky pint.
As time was of the essence, I decided to see if I could have one in the Irish bar PYG, an early scouting session for later on in the night.
Now this was before I know how hilly Luxembourg City was. After what seemed like well over an hour, I eventually came upon the bar. But it was closed, or at least it looked that way! What a disappointment.
Noticed that just a small walk up the way was an interesting bar called Maybe Not Bob’s. Again the front door was closed, but I heard some noise from inside. I checked it out and yes it was open! Which made me think that perhaps the Irish bar was indeed open as well. WTF with closed doors, hardly a way to entice customers!
Anyway asked for the local brew, got another Bofferding. But thankfully this one was prefect, no bad aftertaste, and was exactly what I needed after my long haul to this side of the town. Got chatting to the barman who was an Ethiopian called Addis (like the capital!), nice friendly guy who gave me the low down on life in the Duchy. Place was busy enough, with people eating what looked like pretty tasty food. Had a gander at the menu, and tried to order something off it but was told the kitchen staff had just left for lunch! Yes, they left for lunch at lunchtime, most be a Luxembourg thing. Indeed I saw them heading out the door, a couple of Chinese fellas. Pity as I read later that this place does the best burgers in the city. Damn!
As for Dudelange, the town is located in the south of the country, and a short 30 minute train journey from the capital. The town itself is a small “city” of about 20,000 people (3rd largest in the country) and is straddling the border with France.
As I didn’t have a whole lot of time, I managed to just visit the one bar in the town.
THE SYNDICATE BAR 33, avenue Grand-Duchesse Charlotte, Dudelange Facebook
I popped into the first bar I came across from the train station, and that was The Syndicate Bar
The Syndicate Bar is an old school bar, nothing pretentious about it, with good classic rock music playing away from the juke box. I liked the bar, wasn’t full at all, but it was the middle of the day, on a Thursday in Dudelange.
Got talking to the (bar owner) Assia and (staff) Mandy, who were very chatty, and fun.
Had a nice bottle of Strongbow, cold from the fridge which went down well. I liked this bar, and would have easily stayed for more than the two ciders I had if I wasn’t pressed for time.
Bofferding www.bofferding.lu
The beer I was mostly drinking on my short trip to Luxembourg was the local brew, Bofferding.
Bofferding is produced by the Brasserie Nationale, founded in 1975, which is the largest brewery in Luxembourg. A small brewery, but they export to their close neighbours, Belgium and France, and their not so close neighbours, China!
Without giving a full detailed review, the beer was fine. Certainly did the business over the few hours I was in the Grand Duchy.
Another beer I was drinking over the few hours was Leffe, a beer from Belgium. The beer, is known as an Abbey beer, which means it has a close connection with a real Abbey where real monks develop real ales! Using knowledge passed down through the ages and ingredients found in the wild near the abbey, the canons developed a unique ale, brewed only at the Leffe abbey.
Now all Leffe brands are brewed at the Stella Artois brewery in Leuven. But the connection remains with the original Leffe abbey, who collect substantial royalties to this day from InBev Belgium.
The beer was decent enough, a bit hoppy, but did the business.
The Game
It took me over 4 hours to get home, via 3 trains, 3 long trains!
But it was worth all the effort, as UCD held out to go through on an aggregate score of 2-2, winning on the away goals rule.
Cracking start to the game for UCD as they got off the mark first , with a def header from Swan (2-0 on agg.), but the game plan went astray once Coyne was sent off. His tackle was a bit reckless, but I think a red card was very harsh. With him UCD would have coasted this game, without him it was a struggle.
Both goals near the end of the first half for F91 were very disappointing. The first Dudelange goal was like in slow motion, he got so much space and got to pick his spot, the second was comical, from a throw in where everyone for UCD fell asleep, a simple free header.
Wasnt looking good for the second half, as the aggregate score was now UCD 2 F91 2, with the Luxembourgers only needing one more goal to go through against the ten men of UCD.
But UCD held out, I don’t know how they did, but they did. The stats might show how much of a colossal effort it was, 27 shots on goal for F91 to 4 for UCD
The UCD support were great too, for a small bunch they made a lot of noise.
The moment the ref blew the final whistle was fantastic, great craic, immense joy and what a relief. That was a very long second half, plus the 5 added on as well!
Overall the trip might not have had as much beer or shenanigans as I would have liked, but the game made up for all that.
Met some of Swan’s family after the match as well which was cool, nice people, and overall Luxembourg was a fantastic city. Must remember to bring the wifey there some day! As for UCD, they went out in the next round to Slovan Bratislava, a team of pros, but heh, thanks for the memories,.
Herein I give you some really fun and cool facts about little old Luxembourg
Luxembourg, and its capital, Luxembourg City.
Luxembourg officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, is a landlocked country in Western Europe. It is bordered by Belgium to the west and north, Germany to the east, and France to the south.
Another small country, another tax haven, another country in Europe run by a family of wealthy Royals. This time little old Luxembourg, with its amazing capital city, imaginatively called Luxembourg City. The city is truly magnificent, covered by hills and valleys all around, divided by rivers, and all surrounded by the many fortifications, bridges and viaducts dotted all over the city, it’s a city I fell in love with. And it’s no surprise to see that UNESCO gave it World Heritage status.
According to the OECD (2010) Luxembourg sold the most alcohol in Europe, per capita. Yes Luxembourg! But before you get your knickers in a twist, a large proportion of this alcohol is purchased by customers from neighbouring countries contributing to a statistically high level of alcohol sales per capita. So blame the French and Belgians, and perhaps the occasional Irish visitor (well what can I say, I do try!!)
Luxembourg is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch. Headed by Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, the world’s only remaining grand duchy (don’t ask I am still confused about that one!) who has the power to dissolve the legislature, but he doesn’t as he is a good lad.
Luxembourg is one of the smallest countries in Europe, and ranking 179th in size of all the 194 independent countries of the world; the country is about 2,586 square kilometres (998 sq mi) in size, and measures 82 km (51 mi) long and 57 km (35 mi) wide, with a population of 562,958. (2013 World Bank)
The people of Luxembourg are called Luxembourgers.
Luxembourg is a secular state, but most Luxembourgers, including the Royal family, are Catholic.
Not a nation that produced a lot of major sports stars, but in Marc Girardelli they had an Alpine skier who was World Cup overall champion five times, and with Nicolas Frantz (1927/28) and Andy Schleck (2010) they bagged three Tour de France wins.
General George S. Patton, “Old Blood and Guts”, is buried in the Second World War Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial at Hamm. This cemetery is also the final resting place of 5,076 American military dead.
Luxembourg is sometimes called “Little Switzerland” for all its hills and valleys, and not, I repeat NOT, due to its vast wealth and somewhat questionable dodgy banking transactions. Other names we can use for Luxembourg is the “Green Heart in Europe” and the “Forest and Fortress”
Speaking of tax havens, according to one British newspaper, The Sunday Telegraph Kim Jong-Il’s had some $4bn hidden away in secret accounts in Luxembourg banks. Make of that what you will!
Three languages are recognised as official in Luxembourg: French, German, and Luxembourgish. Luxembourgish is the language that Luxembourgers generally use to speak to each other. Most official business and legislation, and the language of the government is carried out in French. German is usually the first language taught in school and is the language of much of the media and of the church.
They are rich buggers with a stable economy, low inflation and unemployment, and a highly educated populace, money is what they are good at making. In 2011 the IMF put them as the second richest nation in the world. Banking, insurance and finance is the major sources of wealth in the nation but recently the Luxembourg government has started to attract internet companies to set up base in the tiny nation, with Skype and Amazon being two of the many internet companies that have shifted their regional headquarters to Luxembourg.
Since the country is so small it only has an army of about 800 soldiers and no navy (landlocked) or air force, but that’s all A.OK as they are in NATO so if ever attacked they can get the big boys to bail them out.
But who would want to attack such a small nation? Well quite a few have: Utilising its natural strategic location it was the Romans in the 10th century who fortified and used Luxembourg city as a base for trade and defence. Over time Luxembourg city was one of the strongest fortifications in Europe as a long list of conquerors arrived and continually strengthened the city walls. Build a big wall with a nice city inside and it’s just natural that someone’s armies will attack, so a long list of attackers have conquered Luxembourg: the Burgundians, the Spanish, the French, the Austrians, the Prussians, and the Germans in both World Wars. So I guess one can understand if Luxembourg was eager to join NATO and align itself with one of the world’s strongest military alliances.
As mentioned alliances were important for Luxembourg. They also were a founding member of the United Nations in 1945, and were also heavily involved in the setup of the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951, a precursor to the European Union. Luxembourg City is the seat of several institutions of the European Union, including the European Court of Justice, the European Commission, and the European Investment Bank. As an aside Schengen is in Luxembourg, giving its name to the Schengen Agreement, which a lot of travellers know only too well helping with the freedom to move all around Central Europe!
Regular contributor Matt Bowen continues with his story of himself and his dilapidated motor bike driving around the wild and bad lands of North Western China.
The idea came to me when driving on an organized trip up near the Mongolian border with some fellow adventurers; the idle rich of Baotou, who could afford BMW motorcycles and slick new Yamaha and Honda sport bikes. It was a 2 day one night affair, a dozen motorcycles followed by a rented bus full of gear, food and the women, ending at a Chinese-Mongolian camping area 20 clicks south of the Mongolian border in the desert. The trip there was uneventful aside from the complaints of my ‘nouveau riche’ traveling companions that my bike was too “farmer” for them being that it was made in China and not Japan or Germany and that it topped out at 70km/h.
I had met these other adventurers at a local outdoor gear shop where they had a motorcycle/hiking/camping club. I had been in China for just over a year and I had not heard or seen anyone interested in these sorts of things so I was excited to join their club. They were more than welcoming though quite a lot of the members were only there to show off their expensive camping/outdoor gear, sometimes in a very aggressive way, an attitude that I found to be quite pervasive – and extremely irritating – in China. Camping seemed more like a materialistic competition rather than a hobby, though thankfully it was usually only the men who were this way,.
During the drive up to the Mongolian border we passed through a few small towns, and at one of the towns the police stopped us and wanted to check our ID cards and passports. There was a brief argument and eventually the police let us pass, and due to my limited Chinese vocabulary I was unsure of what the problem was. At the time I did not have a drivers license and my motorcycle was registered in the name of one of my students.
Before I came to China in 2003 I can honestly say that I was expecting a more authoritarian, more strictly controlled place. I was expecting constant checkpoints, and a heavy police/military presence and though it is possible to see police everywhere in China, most of them are traffic police or Cheng Guan who give off the distinct impression that they are unconcerned with enforcing any laws, especially in Baotou where it is common to see police drift through red lights at about 10kms/h while on the phone with their lights on. My first impression of China when I arrived in Guangzhou, a city of 15 million people, was complete chaos. Without any order whatsoever.
My first solo attempt at crossing a road was unsuccessful. I was forced to stand beside an old man while he crossed. I quickly learned that the only traffic rule universally applied was that you never make eye contact with larger vehicles. If you do you will never step off the curb on a busy street. You simply look in the direction you are walking and go, it forces the driver of the passing car to either stop for you or run you over, and since running someone over in broad daylight is considered bad form in China, people generally don’t do it. (At night this rule changes to brightness of headlights; the brighter light has the right of way which of course leads to “brightness war”, where everyone drives around with their high beams on. I do not recommend driving a motorcycle at night. No, I do not recommend that at all.)
The same principle applies to driving a motorcycle. But since a motorcycle is larger than bicycles and pedestrians, it is them who must avoid your gaze, while you avoid the gaze of car drivers. This rule is so deeply engrained in China that even if you are driving 100km’s/h and mistakenly make eye contact with the driver of a car that is in front of you waiting to turn, he/she will turn out in front of you. This happened to me once directly after buying my motorcycle and it made a deep impression on me. I realized that there is no special caveat for speed and ignoring the eye contact rule can kill. When it happened to me I was so shook up that I chased the driver down and asked him if he was actually trying to kill me. His genuine look of confusion was instructive and it was there at the side of the road that I realized that I could die if I didn’t follow the eye contact rule.
The appearance wasn’t too bad, looked good. On pour, a nice white head developed which quickly dissipated. The beer was a pale, yellow colour, and with some thin lacing
