The Ayingerbrau Challenge 2005
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The summer move did mean a few slight changes – firstly this only gave participants a 7 month recovery time from Brau Challenge II – which as most who were involved will surely agree made it touch and go. Secondly, the warmer temperatures plays havoc with the stickiness of a gentlemens upper lip – a most important factor when trying to hold 3 inches of neatly trimmed adhesive bush there for a twelve hour drinking marathon. But thirdly and most importantly, the warmer and brighter weather meant everyone could enjoy the sunshine and bask in the beer gardens without freezing their curly pipes off – a much more natural habitat for a true budding Bavarian.
As always there were unfortunately several people who could not make it along, but it was nice to know their thoughts were with us – as the photos in the ‘international’ section prove – no matter where people were in the world their heart was still with the Brau.
Braumeister Whiteland, a true stalwart of Challenges I and II and owner of the ceremonial cowbell was also a late withdrawal from festivities, meaning a panicked last minute search for a replacement bell was held the day before the Challenge commenced. Whether we would have able to continue without one was open to debate, but thankfully Braumeister Scott’s search of Kingston music shops proved successful and at 11am the new bell was dinged to announce out our entry into our starting venue – once again The Earl of Lonsdale in Notting Hill.
Many new converts were making their debuts this year, as were two lovingly prepared Brau Standards to both lead and back up the group as we snaked our way through town. A notable early award for the first moustache donned this year went to Braumeister Royle – sporting a fine wing-commander look.
As in 2004, the route then took us underground through central London and then popping back up again in time for a stroll down Londons South Bank and into The Anchor Tap at Tower Bridge. Joining us here was Braulein ‘Vicky Pigtails’ Hancock – a member of the inaugural challenge who we decided to embrace back into the fold after her six month jaunt to South America – which had coincided with an extraordinary upsurge in hits on the website from that part of the world.
A bus ride then took us to the first new pub on this years route – The Angel of Rotherhithe. We had been waiting for two years for refurbishments to be completed on this historic tavern nestled amongst the dodgy streets of Bermonsdey so it could be included on the Challenge – and nobody was disappointed with the views of Tower Bridge, strange sculptures of men sat on benches that particularly attracted Braumeister Bice, the underwhelming ruins of the moated manorhouse of Edward III and most of all the marvellously refreshing fizzy amber liquid.
From one classic riverside venue to another and the Captain Kidd, which had been admired from the Angel of Rotherhithe on the opposite bank of the Thames. Already there before us was Braumeister Ridley and friends, fielding questions from inquisitive bar staff who remembered us from the year before and also drinking from a gigantic glass stein that seemed to be always far fuller than with just the regulation half pint.
After an enjoyable half hour on the riverside terrace it was time to head underground again – and after a one year break, back to The Rising Sun in Smithfields market for a game of darts and another tasty Brau.
From here the route turns golden and to three successive classic venues in Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese – allegedly Londons oldest pub according to the barman who was only too happy to pose with a stein, The Cittie of Yorke with its huge upstairs hall and the multi-mirrored Princess Louise – recently voted Londons most beautiful pub – and also home to some historic grilled toilet facilities. By now, initial caution was being cast aside and moustaches, pipes, alpine hats and even a surprise ginger wig were being proudly sported.
Our next pub, The Crown on New Oxford Street was a late entry onto the list after only being re-opened during the week of the Challenge. Clearly the management had targeted their efforts into opening in time to be considered for the route. As probably one of the smallest pubs, it had not come high on the list of favourites during the first challenge, but now with the sun shining and a large outdoor area to enjoy it was a top place to spend half an hour.
But half an hour was all we had, as time and Brau wait for no man and the Central Line was needed to head off to the bright windows of The Angel in the Fields near Marylebone. By now the numbers were swelling and at one point in this pub we had total dominance being the only people in there except for one Paul Daniels lookalike – who appropriately was from Middlesbrough and had himself drank in The Brunton Arms – that mothership of a pub in which the seeds of Brau Challenge dream were first laid years ago. It is also nice to reflect now on the misguided joy of Braumeister Winterford celebrating the Aussies apparent early success in The Ashes on his radio. There can be little doubt however, the series turned in Englands favour as news filtered through to their players they were missing out on a more significant challenge on the streets of London.
The Duke of York on New Cavendish Street came next, followed soon after by The Dover Castle. It was around this time Braumeister Ridley produced one extra bit of costume in a strange fake pair of ears. Whileas the dury is out on whether Bavarian’s have big ears, its difficult not to admire such unexplainable behaviour.
The Dover Castle also saw the first signing of a Brau Standards handle – as initiated by Braulein Brown of Dublin – which was to be copied in almost every single pub thereafter. It was certainly becoming easier to persuade/force bar staff to get involved in joining in with true Brau costume whilst serving – and you could tell they all loved it really.
After bemusing the policeman guarding the Chinese Embassy, we found one of the best landlords of all in The Horse and Groom – a Mr John Milligan Esq – who although only being in charge temporarily, has the current honour of looking after the largest Brau gathering to date so far – as our numbers rose to an estimated 37.
Unfortunately at this stage we lost a few members who were all no doubt devastated to have to disappear off to other prior arrangements. But the majority of us pressed on regardless to The Fitzroy Tavern, where as the photos show we gained many new supporters, and then to the Bricklayers Arms where surely our oldest fans of the day were found. Apparantly a Brau a day has kept these veterans looking as good and healthy as they do for all of their 40 years - and just see what it can do for your teeth…!
From now the commentary will no doubt become more sketchy as memories become more fleeting, photo evidence more blurry and Ayingerbraus were supped almost as quickly as Australian wickets were falling at Edgbaston.
The Blue Posts and The Champion were next in line and once again the bar staff were only too happy to join in with a bit of moustache wearing. The Cock was next – a magnificent favourite – and to celebrate our pipes were lit in full admiration. As if you would expect anything else, we found an actual Bavarian Braulein drinking away inside – and while no doubt holding back tears of emotion at thoughts of her homeland (she is just being brave on the photo – you needed to be there), she too was allowed to sign the Standard.
Suddenly it was starting to get dark – which can only help to focus the minds of those brave enough to be aiming for the full 24 drinks that there was a job to be done and time was running out. Now in the heart of the West End, the Red Lion was next followed by The John Snow – who this author for one can remember nothing about at all.
We really now were on the home run – and the Duke and Argylle and Glasshouse Stores were polished off with Braulein Sloper even finding enough time for a bit of personal shopping in between.
At twenty-two down and two to go we headed off to The White Horse on Archer Street. A slightly unfortunate incident happened on the way as David Schwimmer popped out of the side door of the Apollo Theatre (yes this is true – it was him), no doubt with the intention of joining in for the final two pubs and then running back to Hollywood with sham tales of making new Brau Friends and completing this most notable of feats. Thankfully, he was held back by a gaggle of autograph hunters and we managed to slip inside and order at the bar before he could catch up. Its sad to think of the lengths some people will go to for that bit of fame – he didn’t even look like a proper Bavarian for Brau’s sake and yet he has the cheek to call himself an actor….
By this time Braulein Carr was on a mission. That mission was to snare Braumeister Clarke – and indeed, who could deny how handsome he was looking in his Robin Hood style pointy hat. No doubt wowed by the bravery of any man who can tackle so many Braus in one day – she pursued him round the last four pubs that she fully admitted the following day she cannot remember even visiting.
And then there was one to go – The Chandos – as close to a home venue as there can possibly be in Central London. Everyone knows where it is and how to get there – that is until it’s the twenty-fourth pub you have tried to find in one day and it’s a whole five minute walk away. There were casualties aplenty as Brau Challengees scattered all over the place in the scramble to get there in time for last orders. People appeared from all directions, but eventually as one we were re-united and the cowbell sounded for one last time before we entered.
As is now traditional, sense takes over and we all decided a full pint was exactly what was needed to celebrate the end of another momentous day. Now its not easy to be outdone when in a group of 20+ people wearing green hats, pigtails and drinking out of steins – but the bizarre sight of a man fully kilted in Scottish regalia and marching up and down the pub playing bagpipes caught even us by surprise.
And that was it – another challenge completed. As always what then happened became a confusing story that nobody quite understood the next day as people drifted off to bars, pubs, curryhouses and homes – all fully unaware they were now returning to the land of the normal where pipes and moustaches get suspicious sideways glances
Thank you as always to Braulein Wilkin who continued her marvellous record as our Chief Procurement Officer at the bar – and congratulations to Braumeister Goddard who became the first man in three years to fully complete a full countersigned Brau scoresheet. In addition its got to be said the staff on this Challenge were a credit to the brewery all day long and got really involved, when really they had not the faintest idea what was going on in their pub. And most of all we raise our steins to all those who took part once again – another most excellent day !!
BRAU !!!!