I had a simliar experience in a local pub a few years ago.

I asked what sort of beer they had. The barmaid, in an Antipodean accent (not that I'm maligning Antipodeans, but it may explain her lack of knowledge) said 'We've got Carlsberg or Fosters.'

'No', says I, 'I mean real ale'.

'Aww, er... we haven't'.

'Alright, can I have a bottle of barley wine then please?'

'Errr, is thet House Red or Riesling?'

'Bottle of cider please.'

Now to mistake real ale for Aussie lager is understandable, but surely a barmaid should know the difference between barley wine and house red?! It wasn't even as if she was new to the industry... she'd been working there for over a year!

LTS