Special Brew

Special Brew is a very strong lager brewed in Denmark and the United Kingdom. It comes in a can with a distinctive gold and red colour.

Related Topics:
Lager - Denmark - United Kingdom

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Special Brew was first brewed by Carlsberg to commemorate a visit to Denmark of Winston Churchill in 1950. in May 1951 two crates were delivered to Churchill's London home. In a thank you letter Churchhill called the drink "Commemoration Lager". In Denmark the drink was called Easter Beer. For the British market Carlsberg called the drink Special Brew and production was started in Northampton in the 1950's.

Related Topics:
Carlsberg - Winston Churchill - 1950 - May 1951 - Northampton - 1950's

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At 9% alcohol Special Brew is one of the strongest lagers freely available in the United Kingdom, without going to a specialist shop. Some people will say that Special Brew should more properly be described as a Barley Wine, rather than a lager.

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In the UK Special Brew is occasionally available in bottles in pubs, but it is almost never served draft. Most pubs refuse to sell it because its high alcohol content leads to excessive drunkeness and unwarranted behaviour among customers. However it is widely sold in off licences and supermarkets nationwide. Special Brew is extremely popular among the homeless and travelling community, and off licence owners will often say it is their best selling item. It's reasonably low price and high alcohol content allows users to become extremely drunk quickly at a low cost should they desire to do so. Drinkers also enjoy the drink for its strong syrupy taste and many will often refute its image as a tramps and travellers drink. Many consumers can be seen to have a strong affinity with the drink, as shown in the tribute song by Bad Manners "Special Brew".

Related Topics:
Off licence - Supermarket - Homeless - Travelling - Bad Manners

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In Denmark, where stronger beers are more common, Special Brew enjoys a more renowned image and it is a popular drink sold nationwide.

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See also Tennents Super

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