Armchair Caving for the Alcoholic
by Tony Jarratt
The Editor's request in the last BB for more cave theme beer labels inspired me to delve into my collection of "speleobooze" ephemera - both subjects being dear to my heart. I came up with the following and I know that there is a vast amount more available worldwide. Serious students should consult the pages of the Belgian published bulletin Collections (now defunct). To keep in with the current interests of some members I have included mines as well as caves.
Beer - Cans and Labels
Canned Anchor Beer,
Archipelago Brewery Co.,
Liquan Beer,
Belfry Brew. The blue and gold label commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the BEC and sports a gold "Bertie Bat" .
Rescue Ale (Morland's Old Speckled Hen). The label has a Balch drawing of Eastwater boulder ruckle to celebrate the British Cave Rescue Council Conference, Priddy, 9-10 July 1994.
Association of Bottled Beer Collectors, August 1989, Hunter's Lodge Inn, Priddy. The back label bears an old engraving (c.1750) entitled "A View ofOkey Hole". (This society was run by the writer's brother, Dave Jarratt and the above two label designs were suggested by the writer. Barrie Wilton produced the end results).
Le Casque (The
Helmet). Biere artisanale naturelle.
Brasserie La Binchoise, Binch, Belgique. The label has a blue caving helmet and Petzl carbide unit.
Krugman, Attendorner, Hohlentropfchen. Sauerland. The label bears a small coloured photo of a grotto - presumably in a show cave.
Canned John Davey's
Cornish Ale, Redruth Brewery,
Shakemantle,
Freeminer Brewery,
Freeminer Bitter,
ditto. Label shows the famous mediaeval
Deep Shaft Stout, ditto. ditto.
Slaughter Porter,
ditto. (I have no label for this beer -
named after
Pick Axe Pale Ale,
Tommyknocker Brewery,
Beer - beermats
Miners Arms Brewery,
Own Ale, Brewed in Westbury-sub-Mendip,
Tinners Ale, St.
Austell Brewery,
Beer - beer cooler
Shades of
Whiskey - label
Wine - labels, bottle and cork
Clamouse 1987 Shows
a b/w photo of this fantastically decorated show cave.
Clamouse 1993, Two labels bearing coloured photos of different scenes in this cave
Cotes du Vivarais, Orgnac, The label bears a coloured photo of the immense stalagmites in this famous show cave.
Cotes du Vivarais, Orgnac, Cuvee de la Speleologie Robert de Joly. A 1.5 litre bottle with coloured, stencilled wording and a b/w photo of the stalagmites on the reverse.
Cuvee du Centenaire de la Speleologie 1988. Shows a drawing of two cavers on one SRT rope!
12eme Congres international de speleologie 1997 La Chaux-de-Fonds. The label design appears to show an antique statuette of two men enjoying their wine. Helmets, lamps and a bat have been drawn on for effect!
Cuvee des Grottes,
The main label shows a scene in the Grottes d'Arcy-sur-Cure show cave (
Vin du Pays du Caverne, Perigord. The label shows stylized prehistoric cave paintings.
Chateau de Lascaux. A stylized
Equus. The label shows a stylized horse cave painting. (Available from Tesco!).
Grotte du Grand Roc. Shows a photo of helictites in this show cave at Les Eyzies, Perigord.
Cuvee des Grottes Petrifiantes. Bears a photo of the show cave (ancient underground stone quarry?) at Savonnieres.
Cigarettes
Bisonte. A Spanish brand with a coloured drawing of a
bull cave painting from
Zhijintiangong. The packet has a coloured photo of a Chinese show cave scene.
and for the driver:-
Naktigone. A very unpleasant Lithuanian soft drink with
a "Bertie" type bat on the label!
Endless Caverns
Premium Mountain Spring-Water, Shenandoah Valley, New Market,
Well, that's enough of that - I'm off down the Pub!!!!! Cheers, J.Rat
ADDENDUM: It seems that B&T Brewery of Shefford, Beds., produce both "Black Bat" and "Old Bat" winter beers. Plans are in hand to sample this brew.