An organisation representing Scotland’s
main beer and pub companies launched a “virtual pub”
where visitors can chat and take part in competitions.
The site, scottishpubs.co.uk went online this week.
At the same time, the Brewers and Licensed Retailers Associations of
Scotland
(BLRAS), the organisation behind scottishpubs.co.uk, unveiled an industry
site at www.blras.org. It is
designed to give Scottish Office officials, politicians, and industry
chiefs access to beer and pub market information and data.
“The world over, Scotland is seen as the home of hospitality — great pubs,
great beers, and a great welcome,” said BLRAS chief executive, Gordon
Millar.
“Scottishpubs.co.uk aims to reflect this, by giving visitors a flavour of
how Scotland’s beer and pubs have developed through history to the flourishing
industry enjoyed today by millions from home and abroad.”
One of the features of scottishpubs.co.uk, to be added in early
2000, is a comprehensive visitor guide to pubs in Scotland. But already
there are many reasons for visiting the site, according to BLRAS.
Users can test their online golf skills with McEwan’s Lager, or take on the
Tennent’s Lager keeper in an Web-only penalty ShooTout competition. Rugby
fans can get all the details about the rugby world cup — which culminates
in Saturday’s final between France and Australia — with Guinness’s
promotional campaign.
Whether the site will really “make you feel like you’re sitting at the
bar in your favourite local,” as BLRAS claims, is something that
visitors will have to decide for themselves.