Blast from the past

I was surprised to see a bottle of Furstenberg lager on the shelf of my local Tesco. This is one of those beers from the murky past of Ireland's licensed trade, much like Oranjeboom lager. Very occasionally I see a very old and weather beaten sign for one of these beers hanging from the much neglected façade of a dirty Dublin pub. The beer has not been available on tap in these pubs for the best part of 20 years, but the signs persist. This could be put down to the lazy and complacent nature of the average Irish publican who sees no need to refurbish their establishment or get rid of advertising for beer that no longer exists. No doubt the signs were put up for free by whomever was pushing these beers and the publican sure as hell isn't going to pay to have them taken down.

If you haven't spotted one of these signs, there can be no doubt that you have spied an ancient pint glass with Furstenberg emblazoned across it. There is one of these in every Irish household (strictly, in the family home, in a cupboard that your mother can't reach to the back of) or, for some strange reason they are also found in large abundance in charity shops . I am fascinated to see these glasses and signs because they suggest a time in Ireland when half decent German lager was pouring from the taps of pubs that now only stock the most mundane macro swill. As for the beer itself, it is harmless but well crafted, with a typical slightly sweet malt nose and satisfying fullness. It is nothing special at all, but I wish it was an option in the average Irish pub.