TOPIC:

My approach would be to try most of the beers I want to while cultivating a relationship with one or more barstaff and then, when they know I'm a good customer, try the ploy of "I'll have a bottle of X but can you sign me off on Y, please?" on my "tame" bar staff. The end result for them will be the same and I can always use the excuse that I can't drink cider or Y because of religious/medical/ethical reasons. <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: -->

But I'm just cheeky on these things. The other week, one of my cousins reminded me that at her wedding all the adults had been given some sort of trendy minimalist dessert while the children had Knickerbocker Glories. However, I simply asked a waitress nicely and got a Knickerbocker Glory for myself too! <!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt="" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: -->

It is always worth asking, the worst that can happen is that they "no" and you've lost nothing but it is surprising how often the simple act of daring to ask gets good results. <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->

Maybe we can pull a deal with them that if we're wearing an ICB tshirt they can sign off a Goose Island as a girlie drink instead <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->

Lads,

Geoff of the Bull abd Castle has been watching this thread and has taken all the feedback on board and has come up with The Beer Hall Challenge: The Connoisseurs Version.

I say fair play to them. They see this community as important to them, and I think we can all agree that places like the B&C are important to us as beer lovers. Here's what Geoff and Declan have to say:

[quote:3cey1vdg]
[b:3cey1vdg]Beer Hall Challenge: The Connoisseurs Version[/b:3cey1vdg]

When this challenge was conceived a few weeks ago, it was done so purely with Joe public in mind. The big thing we are trying to put out is that we educate the public on beers and styles, and try to turn them into enthusiasts just like ourselves. As you can see the challenge covers fruit beers to ciders, and pilsners to tripels, therefore allowing the public to try a wide variety of previously unheard styles / beers.

It would be a sin against humanity to force an expert / enthusiast or any other person with proper taste in beers to endure cider, or any other low class drink, in order to become a member. Upon reading you discussions within the ICB chat scene, we have introduced the following measures to reassure people that we are serious about our commitment to real beer, and it followers. We always knew we would have to change certain elements in order to satisfy all concerned, and are happy to do so at any time.

So here is the version of the challenge designed with beer lovers in mind

- A swing of 10 beers will be allowed to all ICB members & other persons deemed to be beers lovers (only 20 to go)
- Past performances will be allowed only to ICB members
- Records will be kept by the management on the premises
- All members glasses will be kept in storage, on view in our cold room
- Because Helba glasses are thick enough for engraving (and plentiful), they are our glass of choice
- The original terms and conditions apply to all customers
- Management has final say in all events associated with The Beer Hall

We hope this version satisfies all concerned and we look forward to starting a long and beer fuelled friendship

Geoff Carty
Declan O'Hagan[/quote:3cey1vdg]

Jeez that is brilliant. You really can't say fairer than that! Kudos to ye Geoff and Declan.

Just out of my own lack of understanding, what does "A swing of 10 beers will be allowed to all ICB members & other persons deemed to be beers lovers (only 20 to go)" mean? Does this mean that if we are on this site we only have to drink 20 other beers to get an engraver??? Or we are allowed to swap out 10 beers off the list, and select 10 of our own (and if this is the case can we have 5x GI on there? <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->)

p.s. with this in mind, who's up for making a dent in the list on friday???

I asked that ame question Ken, and I should have put it in the post above. It means ICB Members are essentially being given 10 beers credit, a head start if you will. You only have to go for 20 on that list <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->

Now that's pretty good.

Only thing is you now need to get the ICB logo tatooed on your forehead <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) --> <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->

Hats off to the Bull & Castle for having the community spirit. Javi and I enjoyed several Goose Islands here on Friday evening and from chatting with Declan it was obvious pretty quickly that these guys are passionate about their beer.

This is a great scheme by the way, maybe the next one should be regulars' bar stools a la Norm and Cliff in Cheers <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: -->

Níall