Legendary Student Pub Challenges Barmy Army

LEGENDARY STUDENT PUB - THE CAPTAIN COOK TAVERN - THROWS OUT CHALLENGE TO THE BARMY ARMY

June 3 2005: New Zealand’s legendary student pub, Dunedin’s Captain Cook Tavern has thrown down the gauntlet to the Barmy Army to attempt to drink the pub dry during their visit to the city, for the Otago versus Lions rugby match on June 18.

The Captain Cook is owned and operated by former young Otago University students who say there has been many an attempt by students over the years to run the pub out of beer – but they’ve never got close!

“We are saying to Freddie Parker and his Army that there is no chance in hell that they can drink the Captain Cook dry,” says general manager Richard McLeod. “But we are challenging them to give it a nudge!”

Mr McLeod says the Captain Cook has a proud tradition, taking its name from British Captain James Cook who was arguably the world’s greatest explorer.

“Captain Cook is the only truly successful British captain ever to come to New Zealand’s shores. It will be a hard act for the Barmy Army to live up to the legacy of the great man, but we are sure they will give it their best shot.”

Mr McLeod says the Cook is stocking up its beer supplies in anticipation of the Barmy Army’s onslaught.

“On a good day the Cook will charge through more than 50 kegs of beer and sell more than 150 crates. If the Barmy Army has the firepower to get through more than that then the Cook will be ready for it.”

The Captain Cook Tavern is 145 years old and under its young owners is enjoying a new lease of life.

“We invite the Barmy Army to experience an authentic student pub named after one of their most famous countrymen,” says Mr McLeod. “Who knows, if the Lions supporters and the locals combine they might just about drink us dry.”

ENDS

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