Tim Gow and Paul of the Funny Little Wars Yahoo Group visited the battlefield of Waterloo recently, and whilst they were there they bought several bottles of the specially brewed Waterloo Strong Dark beer ...
... which they presented to us at the end of the re-fight last Saturday.
I have yet to drink mine (it is 8%, which is very strong for beer!), and I am saving it for a special occasion.
This is the first time I have ever been given a souvenir of a wargame ... but I hope that it will not be the last!
... which they presented to us at the end of the re-fight last Saturday.
I have yet to drink mine (it is 8%, which is very strong for beer!), and I am saving it for a special occasion.
This is the first time I have ever been given a souvenir of a wargame ... but I hope that it will not be the last!
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Bob,
ReplyDelete"Gin is the spirit of their patriotism." is, IIRC, a remark made by the Duke about his hard-drinking redcoats, along with "All enlisted for drink."
And then there is that famous memorial in Winchester Cathedral close to
"...a Hampshire Grenadier,
Who caught his death by drinking cold small beer.
Soldiers! take heed from his untimely fall,
And when you're hot drink strong - or not at all."
You have been warned... 8%? - pah!
Some enterprising UK distillery should have brought out a Waterloo souvenir rum...
Regards,
Arthur
Arthur1815 (Arthur),
ReplyDeleteAs the battle was in Belgium, I suppose that the celebratory drink had to be beer ... although gin and rum would have been more in keeping with the drinking habits of Wellington's men. As to 8% being weak ... well to an almost teetotaller like me it certainly sounds more than adequate!
We seem to have had lots of Waterloo 200 merchandise, but I don't remember there being a Waterloo gin or rum. I think that someone might have missed an opportunity there!
All the best,
Bob
Steady on - that beer is strong stuff! I brought some back from my trip the Waterloo last month an speak from experience!
ReplyDeleteBob
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your ale. The organizers seem to have got their timing wrong. Seems to be that historically the unscrupulous recruiting sergeant plied his marks with drink before sending them off to battle!
Cheers
PD
Tim Gow,
ReplyDeleteI had a feeling that it might be. I will therefore leave drinking it until I know that I have plenty of time to recover.
All the best,
Bob
Peter Douglas,
ReplyDeleteAlthough you might be historically correct, I suspect that the beer been drunk BEFORE we started the wargame, it might have ended as a BOGSOL (bunch of guys sitting on the lawn).
All the best,
Bob
I would suggest that the beer is an experience and the empty bottle a lasting souvenir.
ReplyDeleteRoss Mac,
ReplyDeleteThat is an excellent way to think of it! Thank you for sharing that idea with me!
All the best,
Bob