9:14am Saturday 29th August 2009
By Gavin Aitchison
THE phrase ‘one for the road’ is taking on a new meaning for York drinkers, as city pubs look to widen their fan-base.
Punters no longer need to choose between staying at home or enjoying their favourite pint, as landlords have begun offering custom-made beer cartons.
In an adaptation of the old-fashioned carry-out, firms are supplying re-usable cartons that keep draught beer drinkable for up to three hours.
Creators say it allows people to enjoy pub-quality beer at home, instead of having to opt for bottled or canned alternatives.
Batemans Brewery pub The Waggon and Horses, in Lawrence Street, already uses the cartons and York Brewery’s three city-centre pubs are now understood to be considering following suit.
The cartons store two pints of draught ale, straight from the pump.
Mandy Marshall, landlady of the Waggon and Horses, said she had adopted the idea after seeing the cartons advertised in the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) magazine and said they had been a success.
She said she originally expected them to be most popular with late-night drinkers, who wanted to take home beer when the pub closed, but said they had actually been more popular with people wanting to pick up a couple of pints to have in the early evening.
Husband Paul added: “We sell most at tea-time, when people are on their way home from work. The difference they make is that you get a genuine draught beer, not the bottled alternative.”
Kev Keaveny, pub preservation officer for the York branch of CAMRA, said: “It helps people out because some people could only have a half pint if they have got to drive home.
“If people can take home two pints of their favourite beer to drink at home that’s good. It’s another way for pubs to have some extra income and it does allow people to take home their favourite beer or maybe one they have not had time to try in the pub.”
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk