Cabin pressure and altitude affects passengers’ taste buds, so the beer has been created with a ‘combination of science and traditional brewing methods’ to create a beer that is suitable for consumption in the air and on the ground.
The name ‘Betsy’ comes from Cathay Pacific’s first aircraft, a Douglas DC-3, which flew in the 1940s and 1950s. The beer is made with ingredients from the UK and Hong Kong, including ‘Dragon Eye’ fruit, New Territories sourced honey and Fuggle, a mainstay hop of British craft ales.
Betsy Beer is being served to first and business class passengers on flights between Hong Kong and Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester in the UK until the end of April. It is also being sold in airline lounges in Hong Kong and Heathrow as well as a select number of Swire-owned restaurants in Hong Kong.