London pub unveils unique ‘beer tapestry’ to celebrate Bayeux exhibition

An eightmetre embroidered Beer Tapestry tracing the history of brewing through the ages has been unveiled at The Museum Tavern pub opposite the British Museum as London welcomes visitors to the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition The installation accompanied by a specially brewed ale aims to offer a lighthearted tribute to the medieval masterpieces historic visit to BritainThe Bayeux Tapestry is on display in London for the first time after it was loaned to the UK by France It is the first time the tapestry has left French soil in nearly 1000 yearsBayeux Tapestry exhibitionLondons Bayeux Tapestry exhibition opened on Thursday to a British public gripped by mania over the medieval artwork depicting the Norman conquest of England on display outside France for the first timeExcited visitors who had tickets for the first day of the soldout exhibition queued outside the British Museum ahead of the opening where some staff had donned period costumesIt is back here for the first time in 950 years 46yearold Catherine Pitt told AFP in the queue outside the museum entranceIt is like a big bang moment in our history she addedThe unprecedented loan from France the result of years of diplomacy and set to last until next July has been hailed as a symbol of renewed crossChannel ties following the rancour of BrexitThe Times newspaper called the exhibition a spineshivering experience that has sparked Tapestrymania in Britain while The Economist dubbed it the hottest ticket aroundDepicting the 1066 Battle of Hastings and the invasion by William the Conquerors Norman army the 70metrelong 230footlong tapestry has shadowy originsIt is widely thought to have been made in England almost 1000 years ago before being transferred to Bayeux in FranceI am amazed it is in such a good condition It has survived all these years retiree John Heys 74 told AFP after seeing the exhibitionFiftytwoyearold Jenny said it was moving perusing the museum shop stocked with tapestrythemed mugs dish towels and puzzlesIt is quite brutal It is real people in a battle with death on both sides she added not wanting to share her last nameThe British Museum has so far sold a record 100000 tickets which cost GBP 25 GBP 33 USD 34 USD 45 for adultsEmotionalKing Charles III said the temporary transfer was a precious symbol of trust at a time when trust seems sadly to be in short supply between nationsThe colours are beautiful Illustrations look very modern For the younger generation it is going to spark interest more than some history lessons said Mela Prasens 58 after viewing the exhibitionIt was beautiful an emotional experience added Prasens who lives in New YorkAround the country students who learn about the artwork in history classes are gearing up for school trips while businesses are bidding to capitalise on some of the fervourLuxury store Liberty has released cushions inspired by the artwork priced at pound165 each 223 while budget bakery chain Greggs has unveiled its own embroidered TaPastryA museum in Reading west of London is enjoying a flurry of attention for its littleknown Victorian replica of the tapestry and in the southeast the Battle of Hastings site anticipated greater footfall from those who missed out on exhibition ticketsIn the heart of the capital near the British Museum a pub has hung up an eightmetre embroidered Beer Tapestry recounting the history of brewing in a playful tribute to the more violent originalI think its quite hard to explain to French people the excitement in the UK I think the French dont realise what a big treasure theyve got exhibition curator Michael Lewis told AFP during a previewThe British are kind of completely crazy about this object because its such a fundamentally important object for our historyProcessional experiencePlans to loan the tapestry to London had been considered twice before but both were aborted in 1953 for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and in 1966 for the 900th anniversary of the Battle of HastingsIn what is believed to be its first time travelling outside France the tapestry depicting 627 figures and more than 700 animals has been laid flat in a raised glass cabinetIn its home in Bayeux it is displayed hanging verticallyAnimations projected on the wall accompany the tapestry zooming in on details and key events in the artwork which is replete with gore and dramaIts quite a processional experience because people have to go bit by bit through the tapestry Lewis said Ticketholders have 40 minutes to spend inside the exhibition once they enterConservators watched nervously as the delicate 11thcentury artwork was transported by truck in a risky operation from its home in northern France to the British capital in July