IN PRAISE OF BEER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26776, 20 May 1948, Page 4

IN PRAISE OF BEER

A. P. HERBERT BURSTS INTO SONG

OLD MUSIC HALL DITTY

For the Daily Times, by Harvey Blanks

LONDON, May 14. Something new about Sir Alan Herbert’s many and varied talents was learned at the opening of an “Inn Crafts Exhibition,’’ organised by the Central Institute of Art and Design for the Brewers’ Society. A.P.H. (a most appropriate person fog, the job) was officially opening the show with much characteristic wit and gusto. With an eye on Mr Strachey, the Food Minister, he said that beer was not what it used to be, that this must be the fault of the Government, but that, in any case, even weak beer tasted better out of a good tankard. “ Pubs,” he remarked. “ should not be mere places of bibulosity ” —a splendid new word—“ but as full as possible of colour and the genial decorations of life.” Of course, this was all familiar stuff from Sir Alan, now well astride one of his favourite hobby-horses, but he had a surprise tucked away. There was a song, he said, concerning beer, which he had much appreciated in his youth. Then, without further ado. he astonished the gathering by singing “Lloyd George’s Beer”—a music hall ditty of 35 years ago—over the microphone. It was a spirited, if throaty and sometimes flat performance, and for most of those present represented the peak of a most convivial occasion.