This article is from page 6 of the 2011-07-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
A NORTH Clare publican will this week install a lotto style “big wheel” into his pub which will allow his patrons to decide how much they have to pay for their booze.
The big wheel will be the latest in a series of recent new arrivals at The Roadside Tavern in Lisdoonvarna, who are also preparing to officially launch a series of home-brewed Burren drinks and Ireland first pub loyalty card later this month.
According to the pubs owner Peter Curtin, the three new Burren brews, the big wheel and the loyalty card is being introduced as a way of keeping his family pub alive.
“The pub trade in Ireland is in a tailspin. I am interested in learning new things and trying things. I’ll be 58 at my next birthday and I don’t want to have to close the door of this pub. This is a family pub and I’m happy to do what need to be done to keep it going,” said Peter.
“The loyalty card system is the first of its kind in Ireland. People can come along a Burren Brewery Club member, once they are over 18 and drinks responsibly. When someone buys something in the pub they get points on their card and after awhile they can claim back produce for their points.”
On Sunday, July 21, the three new Burren Brews will be launched with a day-long celebration at the Roadside Tavern. The day will also see the official launch of Burren Brew- ery’s Loyalty Card and the world’s first pub spin-the-wheel machine.
“This will be the first pub in the world to have a big wheel. All the Burren Brewery Club members can come in and choose to pay the display price of the produce or they can spin the wheel,” continued Peter.
“The wheel will have a € 4 slot, a € 3.50 slot, a € 3 slot and so on down and whatever the ball falls on – that’s what they pay. There will also be a euro symbol on the wheel and if it falls on that they will pay the regular price and also pay € 1 towards a local charity.”
Peter has developed three Burren Brews with the Brendan Dobbyns who was involved in setting up of the Biddy Early Brewery in Inagh. From July 21, the Roadside Tavern will unveil the Burren Black, a smooth stout, the Burren Red which is slightly sweet ale and the Burren Gold which is a characterful lager.