Did I mention the espresso machine??!?

Posted at 7:21 pm by Patrick under Beer Photos

Um, yeah.

Real coffee pulled from an onboard esprsso machine (an Americano, no less) with tiny, delectable chocolate morsels on the side.

Why can’t we have this kind of airline service at home???!?

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That’s right — champagne!

Posted at 10:46 am by Patrick under Beer Photos

After 3 very tasty (but smallish) Prides, I’ve had to rip myself from the Clubhouse to catch my flight.

I’m now ensconced in seat 19K on Virgin flight 001 to Newark, and have my pre-flight beverage, a nice dry Heidsieck champagne from 2003.

Today’s ship, a 747-400, is named “Tubular Belle”, an homage to Mike Oldfield’s creepy/cinematic tune. On the overhead, we’ve got a little Everyrhing But the Girl setting the Jetrosexual mood.

I think we’ve got all we need for a tasty little trip home!

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Airport Beer Report: Virgin Clubhouse at London Heathrow

Posted at 10:01 am by Patrick under Beer Photos

My standby upgrade on Virgin Atlantic just cleared, and I’m kickin’, it in the Clubhouse — their lounge for Upper Class passengers.

All I can say is — wow.

This place is seriously cool, in a slightly campy (at least 13 styles of furniture, including the two round swing chairs over my shoulder), but clearly cool way. Beyond being able to eat gourmet meals *before* you board, you can play pool, get a haircut or spa treatment, sit in a classic Eames chair, or drink yourself into a fog.

To that end, I’m enjoying a refreshing London Pride from Fuller’s. From the bottle, but crisp and hoppy, it totally hit the spot as a way to wind down my 10-hour tour of London’s public transit system. The beer selection here is all bottled, with Heineken, Bud, Boddington’s and Cobra rounding out the list. Pride is the clear winner of the lot.

I can’t wait to get on board. If the Clubhouse is any indication, this is how travel should be.

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