Landlord Puts Focus on Non-Alcoholic drinks After Near-Death Experience

So Ive come across this story http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk by Pete Grant

Image Credit Bucksfreepress

It is about a landlord that was told by doctors he would die if he carried on drinking.  The news has resulted in him taking his trade in a new, alcohol free direction as he continues his recovery.

Clive Harvison, has run the Kings Head in Little Marlow since 2007, he was rushed to hospital in October last year after an internal hemorrhage caused by alcohol.


He said: "I have drunk for many years, it’s not something that just happened. But after I had the pub one thing led to another and I ended up drinking more. It’s not nice when you’re trying to carry a cup of coffee to someone and half of it end up in your lap because you’ve got the shakes, then you know you have a problem. And there’s the sweating, the forgetting. The consultant drew me a picture of a cliff and said ‘that is your liver’, and that I was so close to the edge that it would only take a few more steps and once you go over there’s no coming back. In October 2013 I was rushed to Wexham Park Hospital. My wife was informed that there was a distinct possibility I wouldn’t make it and to contact relatives.

"Thankfully I am ok now, and have had great support from my family. I have grandchildren now and I want to see them grow up. My customers have been extremely supportive as well."
Clive said despite his job exposing him to temptations behind the bar, he will not feel forced to give up the trade he enjoys."

As with many people, since clive stopped drinking, he gets annoyed at the lack of non-alcoholic drink options in pubs and restaurants, and criticised them for raising the price of soft drinks.

Clive searched high and low for suppliers of top quality non-alcoholic varieties, to which he devotes a page of his pub menu to offer drinkers something different to their usual tipple.
He said. "I like to go out to eat, and I begrudge paying over £20 for a very nice dish and having to drink lemonade with it, that’s an insult. It’s not just for people on health grounds, but because of drink driving. Somebody has to drive, especially with Christmas coming up. There’s nothing worse for someone who drinks to stop completely. I admire people that can, but for me it’s psychological.
I never judge anyone on their drinking habits, that’s up to them. For me it’s coming up for a year now, but you can still have a laugh without alcohol."

Surviving An Alcohol Free Month be it Oct-Sober or Dryvember

So ive been noticing quite a few good articles out there including one which ive just come across in the telegraph entitled "Oct-sober: the best alcohol-free drinks" where Chris Moss selects the best alcohol-free drinks, its a great read, here is a very abridged version of the drinks that he selected (there is more details in his article about what the drinks are like and what they compliment the best)

1. James White Russet Apple Juice.

2. Luscombe Hot Ginger Beer.

3. Peter Spanton Cardamom Tonic. 

4. Bavaria Wit Beer

5. Bottle Green Blackcurrant and Coffee

6. ViVa White Peach and Melon

7. Eisberg Alcohol-free Rosé

8. Clayton’s Kola Tonic

9. Torres Natureo Syrah

10. Big Tom

11. Mr Fitzpatricks Sarsaparilla

12. Abel & Cole Green Juicing Box
 
13. Belvoir Coconut and Lime Pressé

14. Marks & Spencer Elderflower Cordial

15. Carl Jung Mousseux Sparkling Wine

Dryvember - have a go at saying no! - The Christmas Pretox Challenge

Knowing that December is full of boozy Christmas parties, late nights and celebrations, why not give your body a good ‘pretox’ and take a break from the booze this November and prepare yourself for the festive season!

By taking on the challenge you’re sure to look your best and slip into that cocktail dress a little easier, or tighten a notch on your belt while saving a few quid. You’ll then be on top form for the festive season – the challenge will help you save up for it too!

So go on, have a go at saying no, get thinking about your drinking – you can try a week, a half marathon of 13 days or the full monty of 26 days! We’ve allowed you days to fall off the wagon if it helps so you don’t miss out on special occasions.

http://www.alcoholeducationtrust.org/dryvember/

First "No Alcohol" Lager on Draught Set to Hit the UK

Spanish beer Estrella Galicia was launched in the UK in 2012 and is now rolling out its 0.0% ABV brew in kegs to UK pubs and bars from this month.

“We are delighted to have become the first-ever brand to bring a 0.0% lager product to the UK in keg format,” said brand manager Lindsay Castling. "This is an exciting time for Estrella Galicia 0.0%, with a whole programme of activity planned to support and really push the product here in the UK.”

The Marketing activity is to be based around the beer’s sponsorship of the MotoGP, including current world champion Marc Marquez and its own team in Moto3.

The beer, the flagship brand of the Corporación Hijos de Rivera, is brewed using the exact same recipe as the brand’s premium 4.7% lager, and then the alcohol is removed post brewing. They have had an "extremely positive response so far, especially on taste, as Estrella Galicia 0.0% really does hold its own when it comes to quality against our 4.7% lager. We’re looking forward to offering a great alternative to the run-of-the-mill sweeter-style soft drinks in the alcohol-free sector,” Castling said.

Three of the brewery’s beers are currently available: Estrella Galicia Alcohol Free, the main 4.7% ABV lager and a 1906 Reserva Especial.

Source: offlicencenews