Health warning for potent brew

Press, 27 May 1985, Page 29

Health warning for potent brew

NZPA-AAP London A Sheffield publican, Roger Nowill, who claims to brew some of the world’s strongest beers, will issue a health warning with his latest effort. Called “Roger and Out,” the beer is six times the strength of normal brews and for the safety of drinkers will be sold only in halfpint (250m1) glasses instead of the traditional English pint. The “Daily Telegraph” reports that “Roger and Out” continues a tradition of potent brews produced at Roger’s Frog and Parrot to standards approved by the Campaign for Real Ale organisation. His previous efforts have had similarly self-explana-tory brand names such as “Roger Mortis.” A Sheffield clinical psychologist, Mr Arthur

Kaufman, said it should be sold only through spirit outlets, or carry a health warning. “Beer this strong could lead to a death,” he said. “If a steelworker used to drinking eight or nine pints in a night came across this stuff it would be the last straw.” Mr Nowill said he would hand out a leaflet with each £1.25 ($3.53) half-pint warning drinkers they might get more than they bargained for. The potent brews have already caused some problems at the Frog and Parrot, specifically for the resident parrot, Toney. Toney was banished upstairs after he began attacking customers and pub fittings. A drink problem was diagnosed, the result of regulars dipping bread into the beer and feeding it to the bird.