On Wednesday afternoon, Brasserie Nationale in Bascharage announced that its Battin band, which originates from 1937, is to return to delivery by horse-drawn cart.
Originally the beer was delivered by horse-drawn carts, packed in wooden kegs or wooden crates, with the cheval ardennais known as a strong work-horse. During the period 1850 - 1930, work-horses were highly valued in the industrial and agricultural sectors in Luxembourg and beyond.
Since 2000, the brewery has used a horse-drawn carriage for marketing (see bottom picture). In 2016, the brewery has renovated another horse-drawn carriage for delivery of Battin beer in Luxembourg city and Esch-sur-Alzette, as well as to other towns including Dudelange, Bettembourg, Pétsnge, Ettelbruck, Diekirch and Differdange. It will also be used at various events for marketing activities, as it is also equipped with draught beer taps.
The newly-renovated horse-drawn cart will not replace by-now traditional deliveries by truck, but will complement them and be used to raise the profile of the beer brand across the Grand Duchy.
The Brasserie Nationale thanked the asbl Leederwon which coordinated the refurbishment of the carriage which will be on display at an exhibition from tomorrow, 28 April, to 14 May.
Photo by Geoff Thompson
