There’s been much ado surrounding the upcoming launch of P&O’s brand new flagship vessel which is scheduled to set sail from Southampton on March 10th 2015. Weighing in at 142,000 tonnes and capable of carrying 3647 passengers, Britannia’s launch will fortify P&O’s position as an industry giant. The ship boasts a plethora of cutting edge features, but what’s got us really excited is the announcement that the vessel will stock a wide range of Britain’s finest brews!
A bar stocked full of craft beers
Forget generic beers sourced from big name companies. Britannia’s Brodie’s bar will stock an impressive array of craft and boutique beers sourced from across Great Britain. The beers come from all corners of the nation, brewed as far afield as Speyside, Dunbartonshire, Scotland, Dorset and the Isle of Man. All in all passengers will enjoy a choice of 70 exceptional beers and ciders. So what’s on offer? Masham’s award winning Black Sheep ale boasts a smooth bittersweet taste with a malty roast coffee aroma while Oakham’s Rutland Panther is a well-balanced dark mild brew with hints of chocolate and fruitiness to complement its bitter finish. 
Northumberland’s Admiral Lord Collingwood and Windsor & Eton’s Knight of the Garter will be showcased side-by-side while punters with an experimental palate will jump at the chance to try Cheshire’s Chocolate Tom, Aberdeen’s Brew Dog, Bath’s Ginger Hare and Wiltshire’s Orange Peel.
Brodie’s legacy lives on
Despite its modest name the name ‘Brodie’s’ was not simply picked out of a hat. The bar is christened in honour of Brodie McGhie Willcox, one of P&O’s original founding partner. This means you can sip on a pint of Britain’s finest while soaking up a slice of history.
Rule Britannia!
As well as a nod to Britain’s boutique beer scene Britannia also pays tribute to the nation with a handful of other patriotic touches. The vessel has recently been smartened up with a shiny new hull featuring the world’s largest Union Jack motif while an exhibition titled Spirit of Modern Britain will showcase a curated collection of contemporary artwork. Fancy a taste of five star grub? Britain’s favourite foodie Mary Berry will be on hand to give lessons in the Cooking School and celebrity restaurateur Marco Pierre White will lend his expertise to gala dinner menus. Want to know more about the biggest ever ship built for the British market? Check out P&Os official sneak peek of Britannia’s first sea trials below:
Media via P&O Cruises and Flickr Creative Commons. Credits: Alastair Humphreys
