Focus on our sponsors, and weekend report

What a weekend! We've been tired of football since Friday, and now we're tired of lager.

This weekend was Sponsors Weekend. If it weren't for our sponsors, we would not have been able to source South Korea (Hite), Slovenia (Lasko Zlatorog) and Serbia (Apatinsko). Of course, our real coup is the Taegandong from North Korea, but I will save that for another post.

Our sponsors gathered for a weekend of beer, food, football and tennis. The weather smiled on us and we enjoyed the great outdoors. A good time was had by all except in the England - USA football game.

South Korea (Hite) was very ordinary and had no faults. It was up against Greece (Vergina), which was slightly more interesting. Greece edged the contest 3-2. The Hite was sourced from a supermarket in London - many thanks to Alan for his contribution!

Slovenia (Zlatorog) was a very fine beer. We remembered it from our walking holidays in the country (much better than their wine). It had reasonable competition from Algeria (sub: Casablanca from Morocco). The first time we had Casablanca was for the 2006 Beer World Cup, and all 6 bottles were off. Quality control obviously has improved since then, and Algeria's team wasn't bad at all. But Slovenia's class showed through, and the final score was Slovenia 4, Algeria 3.

Many thanks to our sponsor, Trevor, who had the Zlatorog shipped over specially for us, in a delightful football shaped cardboard container. We even had the choice between green or black tins (we opted for green). We have since heard that imports of beer from the Lasko brewery are likely to have started, in time for the world cup. They will have to be quick - not sure how much longer Slovenia will last in the football. But if you do find it, give it a try.

Serbia (Apatinsko) was presented in a very unappetising 2 litre bottle. This will present it a challenge as the competition goes on, as it loses its fizz. But we can be sure that the taste won't improve.... It looked as if Serbia was not facing stiff opposition - Ghana's Star looked like the same beer as Nigeria's dismal brew but in a bottle. But Ghana's entry was brewed in Ghana, not Nigeria, and was a reasonable lager. So Ghana won, 3-2.

Bernard sourced the Apatinsko from somewhere in Shepherd's Bush from a shop we found on the web. Thank you, Bernard.

Other results this weekend:


Argentina (Quilmes) beat Nigeria (Star, in a tin) 3-1. Argentina doesn't seem to be showing the same form as the last world cup, when it reached the quarter finals. The Star was awful.

England (Hop) drew with the USA (Dixie) 4 each. Both very nice lagers.

Germany (Bitburger) drew with Australia (VB) 3 each.