The Oakshott Bar at the Taj Connemera is enlivening the closing weeks of this last summer of the millennium with two special offers for carefree tipplers. The first offer is 'Beer and Sausages': a complimentary platter of sausages to go with every pitcher of draught beer, at a special discounted price for the beer. The second offer is for a free mug of beer with every two mugs drunk per individual. Take note; both mugs have to be drunk by the same person - two people drinking one mug each do not qualify for the free mug! Regular patrons of the Oakshott know that a pitcher costs Rs.450, but from July 10 to 31, a pitcher-with sausages-will cost only Rs.350 (plus taxes).

The complimentary sausages are of three kinds, chicken from India, Frankfurter (pork) from Germany and Oxford (beef) from England, served with Russian potato salad. With apologies to sausage connoisseurs, this writer thought the local chicken was the tastiest! He was also charmed by the seemingly incongruous piece of cutlery given with the sausage - a pastry fork! "The pastry fork has a broad, flat tine that enables the diner to slice off little pieces," explains Bannerjee, Assistant Manager. "So we thought that diners here would prefer that to a fork and knife." It is certainly simpler to use the pastry fork, and one need not put down the mug of beer to enjoy the sausage.

The draught beer is fresh, which is how draught beer is meant to be drunk. The Oakshott replenishes its stock of draught every day, from the local brewers of Golden Eagle. Chennai has, over the past year, seen a remarkable increase in the consumption of draught beer. "Young people - those below the age of thirty - prefer draught to lager as it is frothier and has a lighter flavour, and is also less fattening," says the informative Mr. Bannerjee. "People above thirty prefer the balanced, well-rounded taste and texture of lager, for, as age increases, so too does one's appreciation of subtler, smoother flavours."

Beer and sausages, however, could be seen at almost every table, regardless of the age of the customers. The sausage - if not the beer - is certainly not going to lack admirers. Cheers!

Arun Masilamoni

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