What drinks are being served at the Wedding Breakfast at Buckingham Palace?
Not being an avid reader of Hello! Magazine, surprise, surprise, all the fuss over who designs Kate Middleton’s wedding dress has rather passed me by. But I’m interested in the day itself – it should be a cracking day for our pubs, traditional bank holiday weather notwithstanding. And I’m definitely interested in what drinks are being served at the Wedding Breakfast at Buckingham Palace after the ceremony.
I’m a brewer not an historian, but I bet you when kings and queens of old were tying the knot, the beer flowed freely. More recently, though, I suspect it’s been wine and champagne that’s lit up the candelabras of the guests’ minds, to quote a phrase.
That disappoints me. Beer, after all, is our national drink and we should be proud of that. On such a patriotic day as this, it would be a shame not to honour beer’s role in our heritage and history.
I’m encouraged to hear, though, that the Queen’s Head Chef Mark Flanagan has said he will be looking to showcase the best of British produce. Good man. He’s apparently going to feature meat, game, vegetables and fruits from the Queen’s estates at the buffet-style breakfast.
Well, what could possibly go better with that than a classic English ale, full of taste and flavour and natural ingredients? And truth be told, the 600 guests and their Royal hosts would be getting a drink that complements many foods so much better than wine.
Dare I suggest to Mr Flanagan that if he’s looking for something quintessentially British, he need look no further than the Celebration Pale Ale we’ve brewed specially for the big day? A 4.2% golden and refreshing pale ale, it’s distinctly quaffable and would grace the Royal nuptials perfectly.
In fact, we’re so confident Celebration Pale Ale is fit for a future King and his Queen that my boss Euan Venters, Managing Director of Greene King Brewing and Brands, has offered to supply the Palace with as much as they would like.
I really do hope the offer’s accepted. I’m sure William’s dad, who’s done some great work for village pubs and breweries over the years, would like it too. Prince Charles has always supported the Great British Pint whenever he can – it would be wonderful to see him on that famous balcony, raising a glass of beer to the happy couple!
My invite has yet to turn up, so I suspect I’ll be watching events on the 29th from my local. I’m not sure if they’ll be doing more than switching on the telly and inviting us to soak up the spectacle. But I know lots of pubs are planning big knees-ups and all kinds of zany celebrations, with Royal look-a-likes a popular theme.
It’s going to be a busy time for pubs around then. There are two four-day bank holiday weekends in a row. Play your cards right and take three days of holiday, and you could be out of the office for 11 straight days. It’s a tempting prospect, and I’m really hoping that it gives a massive boost to pubs everywhere. They’ve had quite a tough start to the year, and the weather’s not helped. Let’s hope these two weekends kick-start a long hot summer of pub visiting and quaffing, to use one of my favourite words again.
But before that, we’ve got the Grand National this weekend. With Newmarket just up the road from us, Greene King has always had close links with the sport of kings. We’ve had some great days out there with licensees and their customers over the years.
I can’t claim any inside track on Saturday’s race, but Ballabriggs, Big Fella Thanks (4th last year) and Oscar Time are on all the professional tipsters’ lists. If you want a real long shot, some people are quietly placing money on Piraya, the 100-1 outsider.
I’ll also be keeping an eye out for the winner in Nottingham Forest’s game this weekend at home against Reading in the Npower Championship. Greene King IPA has sponsored them all this season, and they’re making a strong push for the end-of-season play-offs. They’re in 7th place at the moment, so they need a run of good results. Good luck boys.


