Royal Couple Crowned Champions in Brewery Pint Pulling Contest
The Prince and Princess of Wales were declared the winners in a lighthearted pint pulling competition against a brewery founder during a visit to London's Bermondsey Beer Mile on Thursday. William and Kate rolled up their sleeves behind the bar at the Southwark Brewing Company, part of the capital's renowned route of independent breweries and taprooms in the London Bridge area.
Behind the Bar with Royalty
Founder and managing director Peter Jackson proposed the friendly contest to see who could pull the best pint. A grinning Princess Kate initially responded with "Oh no", but soon joined her husband in the challenge. Mr Jackson demonstrated the technique, with Kate remarking "you make it look so easy" before they attempted their own pours.
The brewery founder provided coaching throughout the process, even joking "You know what you can come back on Saturday for a shift" as they placed their finished pints on the counter. Prince William confidently assessed their efforts against Mr Jackson's professional pour, stating "I think they are both better actually."
Personal Touches and Brewing Insights
The royal couple later spoke with Mr Jackson's son, also named William, via video call to wish him a happy birthday. The prince humorously told the younger William "We're just in here trying not to ruin his brewery. We've just beaten him in a pint pulling contest", to which Mr Jackson confirmed "They did."
During their brewery tour, William and Kate donned rubber gloves to participate in the brewing process. The prince poured hops into the mixture while his wife used a large wooden stick to stir the boil, gaining hands-on experience of traditional brewing methods.
Honey-Infused Brews and Personal Choices
The royal pair then walked a few minutes down the beer mile to Fabal Beerhall, where they sampled beers and ciders brewed with raw British honey. Kate, who keeps bees herself, quizzed founder Hannah Rhodes about the honey's role in brewing, with William jokingly warning "Be careful what you say, you might be corrected."
At the bar, Kate inquired about non-alcoholic options, to which Ms Rhodes responded they didn't currently offer them but would "love to do that one day" with proper technical equipment. While William sampled lager and cider, Kate politely declined to participate in the tasting.
Health Considerations and Public Engagement
Ms Rhodes later told the Press Association that when asked if she was a beer drinker, Kate explained "since my diagnosis it has been best to avoid alcohol." The princess is in remission after being diagnosed with cancer in 2024 and has been mindful of her health choices.
As they departed, Kate waved to a small group of members of the public who had gathered outside hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal couple before she entered their waiting car, concluding their engaging visit to London's vibrant brewing community.
