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Foster’s Gold Takes Centre Stage

April 23, 2012 By Bailey Bishop

Last year, the Fosters ad series took Britain by storm, with young agony uncle Aussie duo Brad & Dan helping out British lads in need of advice on all kinds of different social dilemmas.

Brad & Dan live a dream lifestyle in their yellow painted shack on a hot sunny beach in Oz. They’ve got girls around in the background to do helpful things for them – like put up the darts’ board and pose with a surf board while Brad paints a picture. So they’re more than happy to answer the Foster’s phone and advise hapless Brits while they crack open a chilled can of Foster’s.

For example, when Craig from Leicester wants to know if it’s a good idea to get a tattoo of his girlfriend’s name, the boys want to know what her name is. Trudy Holloway. In that case, Brad and Dan suggests, it’s a bit long, so does she have a nickname? Yes, says Craig, it’s Peanut.

The boys are somewhat relieved. Get that instead, they say, it’ll keep Trudy happy and: “That way if, heaven forbid, you and Trudy do split, you just have a tattoo expressing your love for a delicious small salted nut. And we all love peanuts!” That’s Brad & Dan down to a tee – they can always see a bright side to any situation. And this is probably why these Fosters good call ads have gone down so well in the UK. These boys are always cheery and have a happy-go-lucky air about them – they make us smile when we see them pop up in between the footie or halfway through Coronation St.

Foster’s must know that they’re onto a winning formula, as Brad & Dan have come back this spring – but they’re out of the shack and advertising Foster’s Gold. The first ad featured Holly Valance exchanging dress code tips with the guys at a posh party in Sydney, and thanking them for their advice. Dan mused what she might give them in return, to which Brad quickly put him straight: “That thing you’re thinking – it won’t be that!” As ever, good call!

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What do you crave when you’ve had a drink?

January 30, 2012 By Bailey Bishop

It will come as no surprise that pubs and bars know exactly what you’ll fancy when you’ve had a couple of drinks.

Usually, when you’re perusing the menu in front of you in your slightly inebriated state, you’ll find something which takes your fancy and you’ll salivate while you sit at the table waiting for it to arrive!

But how do the pubs know that a toasted cheese sandwich on white bread served with chips on the side is going to satisfy your immediate craving?

It’s quite simple – pretty much everyone who works in or runs a pub is bound to know what they fancy after a few bevvies and that’s how they’ll construct their menu!

Once you’ve had a couple of tipples, the last thing on your mind is healthy eating. You’ve already consumed a fair number of calories so there’s not really much point in them offering you wholemeal bread toast at that point, is there?

Instead, the menu will pretty much consist of stodge and plenty of it. Think great British grub and you’ve got a pub menu right there! There’s nothing better than a yummy steak and kidney pie with mash and gravy to help sober you up.

And if somewhere does proper chips, they make the most perfect drinking snack out there – especially when they’re slathered with mayo and ketchup!

Of course, if you’re drinking at home, your snacks don’t need to be too unhealthy. In fact, I think having some celery and carrot sticks dipped in a variety of dips (perhaps with some crisps as well!) is the ideal accompaniment to a bottle of wine with friends.

There’s no denying though that when it comes to drinking snacks, or all snacks, for that matter, unhealthy things taste so much better!

 

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The beauty of beer

December 29, 2011 By Bailey Bishop

Beer is universally popular and is consumed in any number of social situations. Whether you are meeting people for the first time or celebrating a special occasion with loved ones, beer is never usually far away.

The power of alcohol is obviously not just limited to beer – wine, cocktails, mixers, the list is almost endless. Alcohol breaks the ice in awkward situations and can help bring people together.

Of course, some people get carried away with alcohol and in those circumstances it can have a detrimental effect on the way you live your life. However, the majority of people know when to stop. If you know your limit, alcohol can supplement a healthy and enjoyable lifestyle.

Alcohol is versatile. A nice bottle of white or red wine can be shared over a family meal, mates share a crate or two of lager while watching a big game on TV and spirits can be used to settle nerves thousands of feet in the air. Whatever the occasion, alcohol isn’t far away.

In fact, alcohol isn’t far away during everyday life. Wherever you look these days, you will see advertising for alcohol. You won’t sit through too many television ad breaks without coming across an advert promoting beer, vodka or wine. One of the most common and popular ads on TV at the moment are the Foster’s Good Call ads.

The adverts play on Australia’s laidback image with exaggerated Aussie characteristics. The most recent ad is the one promoting Foster’s Gold Beer, starring the glamorous singer and actress Holly Valance. The new premium lager has already proved to be a hit with young lads trying to impress the ladies with a more sophisticated beer.

Beer and alcohol can enhance your lifestyle, in moderation. Find that happy medium and you will reap the full benefits.

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Enjoy a beer this Christmas

December 19, 2011 By Bailey Bishop

Christmas is just around the corner and people up and down the country are wasting no time in stocking up for the festive period.

Food and drink play an important role in any family Christmas. Make sure you are suitably prepared, or prepare to face the wrath of disgruntled family members! It can be tough pleasing everybody. You can give it a good go, though.

The food side takes care of itself. A big turkey, plenty of potatoes and vegetables, pigs in blankets – you can’t go wrong with a traditional Christmas dinner. Dessert can be a sticky subject, not everybody is a fan of Christmas pudding. Play safe, provide a chocolate alternative! Buffet food will take care of the rest of the day.

The real headache comes with getting the alcohol in. Just how do you cater for a family of all ages? In my experience, you can’t go wrong with beer. A crate of premium lager would go down a treat.

Even people who traditionally dislike beer can be pleased. There is so much choice these days, there is no such thing as a traditional beer drinker anymore. More and more women are being enticed by fruit beers and attractively packaged lagers.

Foster’s Gold Beer uses its Australian background to give it a cool and funky image. Glamorous actress and singer Holly Valance stars in the television advert and almost sells the beer herself. The bottles are packaged in a way which appeals to a drinker of any age, particularly the younger generation. Even granddad’s head will be turned. Let’s face it, he will drink anything!

Don’t get caught short this Christmas. Stock up and grab yourself a crate or two of beer. Your increased popularity may even get you out of washing-up duty. Now that would be a Christmas treat!

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A beer sampling adventure

November 18, 2011 By Bailey Bishop

As a beer blogger, I am always on the lookout for tasty new products to sample and write about. And the great thing is that there’s so much variety in terms of food and drink these days; I’m always discovering tasty new beverages to sample and enjoy.

I love nothing better than spending my weekends travelling around the country and discovering cosy countryside pubs, rustic ale houses, and swanky new wine bars that I haven’t been to before. And I always try and make sure I sample a drink I haven’t tried before in each establishment!

This weekend, I went on a couple of lovely trips to some very nice venues indeed, and so thought I would share my food and drink discoveries with you. My partner and I jumped on a train and headed off on a countryside jaunt, making our first stop a small village no more than twenty minutes away. Here we found a wonderful pub called The Fruit Bowl, where I sampled some of the hand-pulled fare, a lovely half of Hobgoblin ale, and my partner enjoyed a bottle of Foster’s Gold, a new premium lager.

As we’ve been enjoying such unseasonably warm weather, we were able to sit outside and enjoy our drinks in the wonderful autumn sunshine. My partner reported that her choice was cool, crisp and refreshing; perfect for a thirst that needs quenching. And I can second this, as I of course had to sample some too, just to make sure!

After this, we made our way to a nearby town and found some fabulous bar food served at an establishment called Hilary’s. The bar had recently been re-done and it was in excellent condition, doing a roaring trade and serving delicious meals including the pie and mash and seafood crumble that we opted for.

All in all it was a very successful trip consisting of fantastic food and drink all round!

 

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