The quality of the inflight dining experience has always been an important focus for Cathay Pacific and to that end Hong Kong’s home carrier is delighted today to announce the launch of Betsy Beer, the world’s first hand-crafted bottled beer specially brewed to be enjoyed at 35,000 feet.

It isn’t a secret that cabin pressure and altitude affects passengers’ taste buds, but by using a combination of science and traditional brewing methods Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Beer Co have created a brew with the necessary ingredients, aroma, and carbonation to taste great both in the air and on the ground.

The inclusion of “Dragon Eye” fruit is a unique characteristic of the beverage. Known for its aromatic properties, the fruit adds to the round, rich, textural properties that make the beer distinctive. This flavour is enhanced further by the inclusion of a small component of New Territories’-sourced honey in the brewing process, giving the beer agreeable floral notes. The use of Fuggle, a revered hop and a mainstay of traditional British craft ales, also lends it a pleasingly earthy and full-bodied flavour.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Marketing, Loyalty Programme & CRM Julian Lyden said: “We know that when you fly, your sense of taste changes. Airlines address this for food in certain ways. But nobody has ever tried to improve the taste of beer at altitude. That seemed like a great opportunity for us to help our beer-loving passengers travel well.”

Named after “Betsy”, Cathay Pacific’s first aircraft, a Douglas DC-3 which flew passengers around the region in the 1940s and 1950s, Betsy Beer will be first served to First and Business Class passengers onboard flights between Hong Kong and destinations in the United Kingdom – Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester – from 1 March until 30 April 2017.

In addition to Cathay Pacific flights operating on routes to the UK, Betsy Beer will be available at ground level at the airline’s lounges in Hong Kong and Heathrow as well as a select number of Swire-owned restaurants in Hong Kong, including Mr & Mrs Fox, Café Gray Deluxe, Plat du Jour, Public, Sugar (Bar.Deck.Lounge) and The Continental for a limited time.

It will also be available for online purchase through deli-delight.com, the exclusive retailer for Betsy Beer during March and April.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Pauline Ray, Corporate Communication Manager, T: 09 3772 907 [email protected]

Michelle Burgess, Assistant Marketing Services Mgr, T: 09 3790 833 [email protected]