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28th January 2019

Harlequins stars join Greene King to celebrate the ‘last drop out’ with sporting moment poll

Greene King hosts Harlequin players Tim Visser, Nathan Earle and Mat Luamanu as they promote 'Last Drop Out' at The George pub, Twickenham, London

Greene King has launched a new rugby themed promotion for its Greene King IPA brand celebrating the ‘Last Drop Out’ in each barrel. The promotion which kicks off this weekend and runs through until end of March rewards customers whose pint is the last to pulled from the barrel, as well as the bar staff who served it.

Customers handed the last pint of the barrel receive a golden ticket which has a range of prizes within, including a free pint of Greene King IPA, rugby merchandise and even a holiday to Japan to watch the rugby this September.  Likewise, the bar staff can win some great prizes including £500 cash. With 9000 prizes to be won, there is plenty of incentive for pubs to get serving.

To celebrate the launch, Harlequins rugby stars Scotland International Tim Visser, England wing Nathan Earle and Kiwi winger Mat Luamanu joined fans at The George in Twickenham to debate the hot topic ‘What’s the greatest last gasp sporting moment of all time?’.

A poll run by Greene King on social media resulted in a resounding winner from over 2000 votes; Jonny Wilkinson’s drop kick in the final of the 2003 rugby world cup.  In second place was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s goal against Bayern Munich to win the 1999 Champions League. Whilst the participants rated England’s Ashes win by two runs over Australia in the second Test in 2005 as the third most impressive last moment of the game sporting achievement.

Speaking about Greene King IPA’s Last Drop Out promotion Matt Starbuck, managing director, Brewing & Brands said: “Greene King IPA has a strong association with rugby, as the official Community Club partner of the RFU, the headline sponsor of the Championship and sponsor of hundreds of rugby clubs from premiership through to local community ones. The Last Drop Out not only celebrates the great British pint, it rewards the bar staff as well as the customer, adding a great incentive for rugby fans to visit the pub and bar staff to sell upsell beer.”

England Squad and Harlequins player Nathan Earle added: “There are so many great contenders for the nation’s favourite last gasp sporting moment but I’m not surprised Jonny’s Wilkinson’s 2003 drop goal won. It’s an iconic moment in sporting history and just goes to show that anything can happen in sport right up until the last whistle.  A bit like The Last Drop Out, the final pint of Greene King IPA could be the one that brings the greatest reward.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

For further information, please contact Becky Haywood

pressoffice@greeneking.co.uk; beckyhaywood@greeneking.co.uk

0345 600 4898 or 07974132040

About Greene King

  • Greene King was founded in 1799 and is headquartered in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. It currently employs around 39,000 people across its main trading businesses; Pub Company, Pub Partners and Brewing & Brands.
  • It operates c. 2,900 pubs, restaurants and hotels across England, Wales and Scotland, of which c.1,750 are retail pubs, restaurants and hotels, and c.1,150 are tenanted, leased and franchised pubs. Its leading retail brands and formats include Hungry Horse, Farmhouse Inns, Chef & Brewer and the Greene King Local Pubs estate.
  • Greene King also brews quality ale brands from its Bury St. Edmunds and Dunbar breweries. Its industry leading portfolio includes Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen, Abbot Ale and Belhaven Best.