Bit of an odd question. When you are at a formal dining in night, and the orders are taken for drinks for consumption during the speaches (not port), what is usually on offer (having a brain malfunction)
Malt Whisky
Brandy
Baileys
and…
There is a choice…???
In your mess, either gravy or custard. In the OM, something a little more refined (and strained for lumps)
:whistle:
[quote=“Operation Nimrod” post=7079]Bit of an odd question. When you are at a formal dining in night, and the orders are taken for drinks for consumption during the speaches (not port), what is usually on offer (having a brain malfunction)
Malt Whisky
Brandy
Baileys
and…[/quote]
Probably whatever who is providing the catering can provide. Doesn’t happen at all formal dining in nights. In fact, in recent experience, it tends to be disappearing.
Ok, lets switch it. What would you like to see on a choice (within reason)
Never hard of having an option or even being given drinks for speeches at mess dinner.
I have found it to be a case that you have port (can be drunk after the loyal toast) and tea/coffee.
Other option is give an ease springs before the speeches to allow people to go to the bar and get a drink of there own choice.
Know what you mean, but at mess dinners, there’s a card that goes round or done by the waiters/tresses after the last course which is then delivered to your table during the ease springs. The idea being that everyone wont get served at the bar in time. A stop gap and a “digestif”.
I’ve had cointreau offered before, quite nice really! I guess it depends what liqueurs the bar sells!
Cointreau…?
For toasts?
What the…?!
Port and port or port.
Or water for teatotallers.
[quote=“Perry Mason” post=7088]Cointreau…?
For toasts?
What the…?!
Port and port or port.
Or water for teatotallers.[/quote]
You can’t train class…
[quote=“flago” post=7084]Never hard of having an option or even being given drinks for speeches at mess dinner.
I have found it to be a case that you have port (can be drunk after the loyal toast) and tea/coffee.
Other option is give an ease springs before the speeches to allow people to go to the bar and get a drink of there own choice.[/quote]
It occurs with the coffee, which is after the loyal toast (port or water only) and its subsequent “admin” break.
However, it seems to be a dying custom in service messes, presumably due the the already ridiculous costs charged in catering contracts now associated with hosting functions in “our own messes”.
[quote=“chaz” post=7092][quote=“flago” post=7084]Never hard of having an option or even being given drinks for speeches at mess dinner.
I have found it to be a case that you have port (can be drunk after the loyal toast) and tea/coffee.
Other option is give an ease springs before the speeches to allow people to go to the bar and get a drink of there own choice.[/quote]
It occurs with the coffee, which is after the loyal toast (port or water only) and its subsequent “admin” break.
However, it seems to be a dying custom in service messes, presumably due the the already ridiculous costs charged in catering contracts now associated with hosting functions in “our own messes”.[/quote]
Its from experience of multiple mess dinners in the forces over the past few years, admittedly all RN, that I say this. Never seen it done.
Liquers at speech time are a tradition alive and well in the RAF and Army messes at the homes of my profession.
[quote=“flago” post=7123]
Its from experience of multiple mess dinners in the forces over the past few years, admittedly all RN, that I say this. Never seen it done.[/quote]
Must be an RAF thing. I s’pose the RN wouldn’t have room for all the bottles on board!
You must have generous people paying for the function! :lol:
:lol: no room for bottles on board, you obviously haven’t been on many ships. I would put it down to tradition. for example port is significant due to Nelsons band of brothers, dining with king George IV and pigs bladders (Senior Rates).
[quote=“flago” post=7136][quote=“chaz” post=7127]
Must be an RAF thing. I s’pose the RN wouldn’t have room for all the bottles on board!
[/quote]
:lol: no room for bottles on board, you obviously haven’t been on many ships.[/quote]
Thankfully not! 
:lol:
Maybe a I should have said a “large selection of bottles”! :lol: