UK people: what is IRN-BRU ?

"graphicsguy" wrote in message
...
I am reading another Ian Rankin Novel in the Rebus series, and I notice
the
frequent consumption of a drink called IRN-BRU, which I have always
assumed
was a non-alcholic beer. But in "Black and Blue" the character is
complaining of buying the "diet" version, which got me wondering if my
assumption was wrong. Enlighten me please.

Cheers eh!
greg


I'm not a Brit, but a Google search turned this up quite quickly:
http://www.irn-bru.co.uk/

Denise
--
Empty Mirror Books & Distribution www.emptymirrorbooks.com
specializing in modern poetry, the Beat Generation, & the work of Michael
McClure

Denise Enck - Quanta Webdesign www.quantawebdesign.com
websites for organizations, individuals, & the arts

On second thought, Irn-Bru's website (link posted a few moments ago) is
pretty quirky. You may find more info he
http://www.agbarr.co.uk/agbarr/barrframe.htm (click on brands)
or
http://www.bevnet.com/reviews/irn-bru/index.asp

best,
Denise

--
Empty Mirror Books & Distribution www.emptymirrorbooks.com
specializing in modern poetry, the Beat Generation, & the work of Michael
McClure

Denise Enck - Quanta Webdesign www.quantawebdesign.com
websites for organizations, individuals, & the arts



"graphicsguy" wrote in message
...
I am reading another Ian Rankin Novel in the Rebus series, and I notice
the
frequent consumption of a drink called IRN-BRU, which I have always
assumed
was a non-alcholic beer. But in "Black and Blue" the character is
complaining of buying the "diet" version, which got me wondering if my
assumption was wrong. Enlighten me please.

Cheers eh!
greg

"graphicsguy" wrote...
I am reading another Ian Rankin Novel in the Rebus series, and I notice
the
frequent consumption of a drink called IRN-BRU, which I have always
assumed
was a non-alcholic beer. But in "Black and Blue" the character is
complaining of buying the "diet" version, which got me wondering if my
assumption was wrong. Enlighten me please.

From http://www.bevnet.com/reviews/irn-bru/index.asp :

"Irn-Bru is a very popular European beverage that features a very mild
citrus/orange flavor. In addition to having a citrus flavor, this beverage
has a mild caffeine flavor. While many US consumers might not understand
this product, Irn-Bru maintains a cult like status in the UK (especially in
Scotland). Overall, a great beverage."

You could also go to the official Irn-Bru ("Scotland's Other National
Drink") site, but it's not exactly overloaded with useful information:
http://www.bevnet.com/reviews/irn-bru/index.asp

Google, man, Google!


--
Jon Meyers
[To reply,
lose your way.]

On Sun, 4 Jan 2004 16:55:03 -0600, "graphicsguy"
wrote:

I am reading another Ian Rankin Novel in the Rebus series, and I notice the
frequent consumption of a drink called IRN-BRU,

Why do you think the UK knows anything about this stuff ? It's a
purely Scottish aberration, and particularly the dodgier parts of
Glasgow. You can buy in in the South (although I believe most is
shoplifted), but only to sell to the expat community.

It's bright orange, glows under UV light, and tastes of shellsuits and
burnt-out Astras. You can even buy the stuff pre-mixed with whisky
(Bells whisky at that !) in pocket-money sized bottles.

As the advert says, "Made in Scotland, from girders". They do add an
iron salt (ferrous sulphate ?) to it. I've no idea why, but it might
be a hang-over from those old Victorian anti-anemia tonics.

It's certainly not an alcohol free beer, because it doesn't taste as
good as American beer. If you don't know what it is, count yourself
lucky. Truly a local drink, for local people.

"Andy Dingley" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 4 Jan 2004 16:55:03 -0600, "graphicsguy"
wrote:

I am reading another Ian Rankin Novel in the Rebus series, and I notice
the
frequent consumption of a drink called IRN-BRU,

Why do you think the UK knows anything about this stuff ? It's a
purely Scottish aberration, and particularly the dodgier parts of
Glasgow. You can buy in in the South (although I believe most is
shoplifted), but only to sell to the expat community.

It's bright orange, glows under UV light, and tastes of shellsuits and
burnt-out Astras. You can even buy the stuff pre-mixed with whisky
(Bells whisky at that !) in pocket-money sized bottles.

As the advert says, "Made in Scotland, from girders". They do add an
iron salt (ferrous sulphate ?) to it. I've no idea why, but it might
be a hang-over from those old Victorian anti-anemia tonics.

It's certainly not an alcohol free beer, because it doesn't taste as
good as American beer. If you don't know what it is, count yourself
lucky. Truly a local drink, for local people.


Being a Scottish based mystery series, I think that description would put a
smile on the face of the author, Ian Rankin and his central character John
Rebus. I know it put a smile on my face this morning. Thanks for that.

Cheers
greg
graphicsguy AT urbangroup DOT ca

"Andy Dingley" wrote in message

SnipAs the advert says, "Made in Scotland, from girders". They do add an
iron salt (ferrous sulphate ?) to it. I've no idea why, but it might
be a hang-over from those old Victorian anti-anemia tonics.
/Snip

I heard they had to add the iron salts to get around a problem of
advertising it as made from girders when it wasn't, but that could be an
urban myth!

"Andy Dingley" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 4 Jan 2004 16:55:03 -0600, "graphicsguy"
wrote:

I am reading another Ian Rankin Novel in the Rebus series, and I notice
the
frequent consumption of a drink called IRN-BRU,

Why do you think the UK knows anything about this stuff ? It's a
purely Scottish aberration, and particularly the dodgier parts of
Glasgow. You can buy in in the South (although I believe most is
shoplifted), but only to sell to the expat community.

It's bright orange, glows under UV light, and tastes of shellsuits and
burnt-out Astras. You can even buy the stuff pre-mixed with whisky
(Bells whisky at that !) in pocket-money sized bottles.

As the advert says, "Made in Scotland, from girders". They do add an
iron salt (ferrous sulphate ?) to it. I've no idea why, but it might
be a hang-over from those old Victorian anti-anemia tonics.

It's certainly not an alcohol free beer, because it doesn't taste as
good as American beer. If you don't know what it is, count yourself
lucky. Truly a local drink, for local people.

I like it :-)

In article ,
(Andy Dingley) wrote:

On Sun, 4 Jan 2004 16:55:03 -0600, "graphicsguy"
wrote:

I am reading another Ian Rankin Novel in the Rebus series, and I
notice the
frequent consumption of a drink called IRN-BRU,

Why do you think the UK knows anything about this stuff ? It's a
purely Scottish aberration, and particularly the dodgier parts of
Glasgow. You can buy in in the South (although I believe most is
shoplifted), but only to sell to the expat community.

It's bright orange, glows under UV light, and tastes of shellsuits and
burnt-out Astras. You can even buy the stuff pre-mixed with whisky
(Bells whisky at that !) in pocket-money sized bottles.

The traditional accompaniment to deep-fried Mars Bars, presumably?

On Wed, 14 Jan 2004 21:20:37 +0000 (UTC),
wrote:

The traditional accompaniment to deep-fried Mars Bars, presumably?

I tried both for the first time in the same week. Helensburgh -
halfway between Glasgow and the Faslane naval base, with most of the
worst parts of both.