BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 05:45 PM

I'm afraid that 100 years back is a little beyond even my time, however I'm pretty sure I still have 3 or 4 unopened cans of "Old Frothingschlosh" (sp?) that I can affirm tasted like they were at least 60 years old when one was opened for sampling a little over 40 or 45 years ago.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 21 Jan 10 - 07:42 PM

Now Bryn, yes, I remember the Bodkan. Mainly in the hands of Clogs and Crockett from Adlington Morris....

Kitty

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Bryn Pugh
Date: 21 Jan 10 - 10:55 AM

Anyone apart from me remember the 4 pint Bodkan ?

(4 pints of Dr Boddington's Patent Tonic).

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: bubblyrat
Date: 21 Jan 10 - 05:53 AM

.....A duff bottle of which is most unlikely !!

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 01:11 PM

Edthefolkie - I've omitted to mention that you've opened up a whole new avenue of student party drinking memories of Hirondelle....

Kitty

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: scouse
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 11:07 AM

We 'ad a weekend party in the late 60's when I was living in Earls Court at my mates flat. We built a bar on Monday with all the empty 7 pint cans.Perhaps they weren't all empty and the bars still standing?? Just a thought!!

As Aye,

Phil.

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 12:47 PM

Landlord: Good evening Sir. The usual?

Customer: Yes please Landlord. It looks like rain.

Landlord: It does indeed, sir. Tastes like it too, but I can assure you it IS Watneys Red Barrel.

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Arnie
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 12:43 PM

'Earthman, I know little of these late '60's/early '70's parties of which you speak' - ok, not strictly accurate but for some reason this phrase just reminded me of Arthur Dent's first meeting with Slartibartfast. Maybe an unopened can of Watneys Party 7 exists in a parallel universe?

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: theleveller
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 10:50 AM

"I suspect that all cans of this fizzy chemical brew have long since been opened and consumed at late '60's/early '70's parties"

Yes, probably several times because, as we used to say, you don't buy Watneys beer, you just rent it.

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 09:57 AM

In Spain they used to advertise red barrel in the early seventies. What you actually got was 3/4 pint of lager topped off with black beer ( negrita). Didn't taste any worse.

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 09:51 AM

Actually, it was right next to the gates of the brewery, more or less built into the wall. I think Watneys had sold it off in one of their reorganisations years before.

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 09:25 AM

Apparently all the workers at Watney's Mortlake Brewery used to drink in the Young's pub across the road.

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Bryn Pugh
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 09:16 AM

The Squire of one of the Sides I danced with had a badge which read :

"Draught DD is K9P".

I seem to remember when first the wretched stuff was advertised on the gawping-box, the dinlo's dikking glass (US : TV) the jingle, to the tune (insult to injury, IMO) of "Landlord, Fill the Flowing Bowl"

"What's the beer that's always best ?

Watney's draught Red Barrel !"

Somebody must have put the boot in, 'cos later "draught" was changed to "keg".

In sunny West Manchester it was known as gnat's piss, until some wag held that gnats would be ashamed of the designation.

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Leadfingers
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 06:24 AM

Our American friends may be interested in the fact that Watneys had an EXPORT Red Barrel that actually tasted like beer ! I used to drink it in Bermuda AND New York in the Mid Seventies - Went back to London and tried a pint of Red -It was FOUL - Only the Export beer was drinkable if you had taste buds !

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Mr Red
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 06:21 AM

My Bro-in-Law found a "British" pub in Hawaii so he went int (as you would). The poor barman could understand why Keith was ROTFLHAO.

They only beer they had was Watney's Red Barrel!

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 04:46 AM

Them Church Keys (pointy openers) are still used for opening cans of milk.

In the sixties they were necesary for all tinned drinks, beer, fizzy pop and all, not ring pulls then. The tins also seemed to be made of sturdier stuff, not so easy to crush in your hand like a paper cup.

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Bert
Date: 18 Jan 10 - 08:14 PM

Them Church Keys (pointy openers) are still used for opening cans of milk.

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Edthefolkie
Date: 18 Jan 10 - 07:46 PM

Oh God, this is terrible. I haven't thought about that awful stuff for over 30 years - now you lot remind me about pointy openers, foul bubbling froth etc.

And as if that's not enough, yesterday I was scanning some old b & w Rollei shots taken and donated by an old friend who wants to forget his past. It's a fabulous shot (London W10 c 1971) of the three nurses in the flat downstairs having a little afternoon party with some of our lot.

What a fantastic photo - it's all there - the Mucha posters, the shell-shaped ashtrays, the hairdryer on the mantelpiece, the tights drying, the coathangers, the eye makeup, the Hirondelle. But - oh, the horror - there's a WATNEYS PARTY SEVEN on the carpet in the foreground, oozing froth! AND a Skyline opener next to it!

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: artbrooks
Date: 18 Jan 10 - 07:37 PM

Actually, I have two; one just says "Handy" and the other has a plug for Horlacher Pilsner.

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Jan 10 - 07:36 PM

I have one, too, we called them church keys, BUT I still use mine....for opening cans of paint.

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Folkiedave
Date: 18 Jan 10 - 07:18 PM

Oh dear, this is really sad/pathetic. I just trawled through my kitchen drawer and found I still have a Skyline opener with the pointed triangular end for opening cans (and of course, you quickly had to make a second opening on the other side of the can, before all the froth exploded)

And I am with Kitty on this one. Yes I have a pointy ended opener and yes - I feel pretty pathetic.

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: artbrooks
Date: 18 Jan 10 - 06:45 PM

I don't have any old Watneys - it would give you an idea of the general quality of US beer at the time (now changed, thankfully) - to know that Watney's Red Barrel was once considered super premium and commanded a high price. I do have an unopened can of Old Frothingslosh-the Pale Stale Ale With The Foam On The Bottom, however.

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 18 Jan 10 - 06:33 PM

Bert, definitely Watneys - try googling Daily Mail and Watneys Party Seven for a picture (I tried to make a link but the page has been updated).

Kitty

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Bert
Date: 18 Jan 10 - 04:21 PM

I thought A Party Seven was Whitbreads, or did Watneys make one as well?

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Jan 10 - 03:52 PM

I have a circa 1970 can of TAB with Spanish/English labelling.

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 17 Jan 10 - 07:12 PM

Thank you, Will Fly 17 Jan 10 - 09:24 AM .LOL

My typo certainly conjures up some great mental pictures.

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 17 Jan 10 - 06:51 PM

Just had another trawl through the kitchen drawer and found the Oasis opener, from Willenhall, with pointed end for beer cans, bottle opener for beer bottles and corkscrew!

Kitty

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: open mike
Date: 17 Jan 10 - 06:40 PM

Has anyone tried Tactical Nuclear Penguin from http://www.brewdog.com/ ? highest alcohol content beer in the world...32%, from Fraserburg Scotland.

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 17 Jan 10 - 06:36 PM

Oh dear, this is really sad/pathetic. I just trawled through my kitchen drawer and found I still have a Skyline opener with the pointed triangular end for opening cans (and of course, you quickly had to make a second opening on the other side of the can, before all the froth exploded), and the bottle opener at the other end. I used to carry one of these on Morris tours, for opening bottles of Guinness.... there was a more sophisticated version with a corkscrew as well, I think.

Kitty

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 17 Jan 10 - 05:56 PM

That was a beer which was much better left unopened and undrunk.

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 17 Jan 10 - 04:06 PM

I m pretty sure the early party 7s had a normal lid which needed piercing. I think I remember a large version of the pointed can opener specially made for the job.

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Paul Burke
Date: 17 Jan 10 - 02:59 PM

We had one such as HK's, till after one party the host hurled it to the bottom of the garden. It lay beneath the hedge for two years. Then he took it to another party where SOMEONE DRANK IT!

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 17 Jan 10 - 02:05 PM

Among my friends, the same can got carted from party to party because no-one wanted to drink the stuff.... I've e-mailed some of those friends just to let them know about the search for an unopened can....

Kitty

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Bill D
Date: 17 Jan 10 - 12:12 PM

No...sorry... the best I can do is a couple of unopened cans of "Theakston's Old Peculier" from about 28 years ago.

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Leadfingers
Date: 17 Jan 10 - 09:52 AM

Len Harmon's Folk and Jazz nights (Different weeks , honest) always seemed to have at least one group wit a Diffel bag being passed around with a Party & in it ! Idlecombe Farm was NOT licensed , so it was a bit illicit , and Len would throw you out if he caught you ! It was easier to join the Interval Convoy to the Bull and Butcher in Turville for a fast pint !

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Will Fly
Date: 17 Jan 10 - 09:24 AM

The first canned bear in the UK came from Davenports of Birmingham,it came with a screw top opening on the top.

I'll bet it was angry when it got out...

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Will Fly
Date: 17 Jan 10 - 09:21 AM

The "Hand In Hand' pub in Brighton's Kemptown, in the early 1980s, was one of the (then) few pubs to have a string of real ale pumps on the bar. The very end pump on the left, as you walked in the pub, was labelled "Watney's Red Barrel". If you asked for a pint, the landlord would pull on the handle to reveal: water! He'd pop the pint on the bar and say, "It's OK - you won't tell the difference."

The Phoenix (Watneys) brewery was just down the road in those days!

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 17 Jan 10 - 09:12 AM

Don't open it....it won't improve with age.

I saw a man lying dead
Fie man fie
He'd been drinking Watney's red.


Why is making love in a punt like Watney's....both f*cking near water.

BTW. the Party 7 had a rubber stopper and plastic pourer, the 4 needed the screwdriver treatment.

The first canned bear in the UK came from Davenports of Birmingham,it came with a screw top opening on the top.

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Acorn4
Date: 17 Jan 10 - 08:54 AM

It used to pass through the body in an unchanged states so they needn't worry too much about it being unopened.

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 17 Jan 10 - 08:11 AM

Somewhere in amongst my piles of moving boxes I found one of those Sparklets gizmos. Attach to the top of the can, 4 or 7 size, screw down and pull lever to serve. Sparklet CO2 cylinder repleneshed gas in can and kept it"fresh".
I'll se if I can locate it, but it may have gone to great bar in the sky by now.
Were there "more hops in Ben Truman"?

Subject: RE: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 17 Jan 10 - 08:07 AM

They were alright if you had the "sparklets" ? Beer tap. Little CO2 powered beer tap that fitted. Also you could just use a triangular can opener without any problems. But then NOTHING beat a Seven shaken up before being given to someone to open !!! Real great fun and after all it wasn't spoiling anything special in the beer stakes ! There were great beers around..

Subject: BS: Search for unopened Watneys Party 7
From: Arnie
Date: 17 Jan 10 - 07:45 AM

The Royal Society of Chemistry is searching for an unopened can of Watneys Party Seven to mark 50yrs since the introduction of canned beer. I wish them luck, but I suspect that all cans of this fizzy chemical brew have long since been opened and consumed at late '60's/early '70's parties. As a student, I recall that no party was complete without either a can of Party 7 or it's smaller brother, Party 4. Trying to open them was a feat of engineering in itself, and usually ended with a screwdriver being bashed into the lid with a heavy object or someone's shoe. The result of course was a fountain of beer that wouldn't stop until you'd bashed a second hole into the lid. The advent of beer cans with ring-pulls in the late '70's sounded the death knell for this particular form of entertainment. Anyway, if anyone has miraculously still got an unopened can of Party 7, then The RSC would no doubt like to make you a generous offer. Takes me back to the era of Brew X (for the men of the North!), Double Diamond and Red Barrel - happy if somewhat tasteless days.....