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TAPPING THE PULSE
High living and low life in the hospitality capital.
31 May 2000
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BOOZE PRICES UP WHILE BEER CAN SIZES DROP
BAR SMOKING GETS A REPRIEVE
FIRAT GETS FIERY
SEVEN COULD BE LUCKY
GROLSCH GETS A NEW LOOK
WINTER BEER ON THE WAY
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PRICES GO UP... CANS GO DOWN
Government excise tax went up 1.8% today, with the price of spirits expected to rise in excess of that - around $1 to $2
a bottle. At the same time, DB have announced that they will follow Lion Breweries' lead and drop the size of their 355
millilitre cans to 330ml.
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BAR SMOKING GETS A REPRIEVE
The Alliance proved an unlikely ally for cig-addicted barflies, pulling its support from Health Minister Annette King's
plans to ban smoking in bars and cafes as well as restaurants.
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FIRAT GETS FIERY
Where there's smoke, there's Firat. Flames exploded out of the front window of the popular Middle Eastern dining house
in Courtenay Place on Sunday night after the restaurant had closed. Something smouldering in the kitchen is thought to
be the likely cause.
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SEVEN COULD BE LUCKY NUMBER
Also on Sunday night, across town, the new Seven Bar opened for business. The brunch/cafe/bar is in the revamped Ghuznee
Street space formerly occupied by Hot Rocks (and before that La Felicita).
The site hasn't proved too lucky to date, but third time could be lucky: the space is large and filled with potential.
Live music from the likes of The Vipers and Bongmaster will be a feature - always welcome on the Wellington scene.
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GROLSCH REPACKAGED
The swingtop bottle of Grolsh has been a distinctively unique look for over 100 years. Now, as well as getting a
facelift with a new neck label, the beer will get a new bottle size added to the range - a 330ml crowncork bottle with a
top that's... like all the other beers.
Dutch brewer Royal Grolsch N.V. has been producing premium beers for four centuries. The swingtop bottle, with the
embossed brand and clever cap has been its most famous trademark.
This tradition will continue with the 473ml Grolsch Premium Lager swingtop bottle, though the 250ml size "Baby" Grolsch
is being replaced by the new 330ml crown seal bottle. The distinctive taste remains unchanged.
New Zealanders will be among the first in the world to see the new look Grolsch when it hits liquor stores, supermarkets
and bars in June.
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WINTER BEER ON THE WAY
Summer's gone, and with it Monteith's Summer Ale. But the West Coast brewery has a replacement - a winter beer that was
launched last night in Wellington at Mezzini's. Well in time for the punters to get used to it before the Monteith's
Wild Food Challenge starts in the capital on June 16.
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