Drinks of the World: Celebrating Europe

by Dr. Jessie Voigts /
Dr. Jessie Voigts's picture
Mar 26, 2014 / 0 comments

Brighton-based artist Jeremy Harnell (also known as Sons of Wolves) has  created a series of posters featuring drinks from around the world, in celebration of P&O Cruises’ chefs all being a part of the gastronomic society. The posters identify what it means to be part of Scotland, Germany, England and Italy by portraying their famous landmarks and signature drinks.

 

Scotland

Scotland is world-renowned for its unkempt wildlife and fascinating history. The country’s favourite drink is whisky, which has been produced in Scotland for hundreds of years.  Whisky is made by distilling rain-soaked barley with water from crystal streams. Black Label, owned by Johnnie Walker, is Scotland’s most famous whisky brand. Jim Murray, a whisky specialist,  said ‘if there is a silkier delivery on the market today, I have not seen it: this [Black Label] is sublime stuff… one of the world’s most masterful whiskies back in all its complex glory’.

The Forth Rail Bridge is depicted along the bottom of the poster. The bridge is the first major steel structure in Great Britain. Connecting Edinburgh with Fife, it is a crucial link for commuters and freight carriers. Soon enough, you won’t need to have a car to experience its beautiful views. Network Rail is planning on opening the structure up to the public, with tourist centres and platforms for visitors to stand on.

 

Scotland! From Drinks of the World: Celebrating Europe

 

Germany

Germany is famous for producing the best tasting ale in the world. The type of beer you get in Germany is dependent on the region, and the locals are loyal to their own brews! If you’re planning on touring Germany in the future, make sure to try out the signature tipple in each area.

Illustrated at the bottom of the poster, the fall of the Berlin Wall represented the dissolution of the barrier between West and East Germany. The wall was put up in 1961 to signify the division between Western democracy and communism during the Cold War. After 30 years of segregation, the East German government reported that the division was at an end in 1989. After the announcement, the East German citizens approached the wall and started to knock parts of it down with hammers, turning it into rubble.

 

Germany! From Drinks of the World: Celebrating Europe

 

England

Breakfast tea is the drink of choice for many an Englishman. Tea grew in popularity during the 19th century, becoming England’s staple beverage. A variety of English landmarks are in the poster too, such as Stonehenge and Big Ben.

Placed in the middle of the poster, Stonehenge is the best known pre-historic monument in Europe. Visitors are drawn to the landmark because no one knows why it was built. There are a range of theories, from the rumour that it was used as an ancient calculator to the notion that it was a Druid temple. If you want to visit Stonehenge by train, Salisbury is the nearest station, located 9.5 miles away from the landmark. When you’ve arrived in Salisbury, you can rent a bike or grab a bus to get to Stonehenge.

The poster also represents London’s giant clock, Big Ben. Big Ben was built during a regeneration project by Charles Barry after a fire in 1834. Barry was not an accomplished clock maker, so he teamed up with his friend Benjamin Lewis Vuillamy to design the landmark. After a seven year delay, the clock was finally installed in April 1859. Want to visit Big Ben while you’re in London? Westminster is the nearest tube station, situated near the Houses of Parliament.

 

England - From Drinks of the World: Celebrating Europe

 

Italy

Italy is world-renowned for its delicious coffee blend. Italians drink coffee differently from the rest of the world, as they often leave milk out of the equation. The signature way to drink coffee in Italy is to order a caffé corretto, a sharp shot that is thrown back while standing up at the bar of an independent café. Milky coffee is only available after lunchtime and dinner, so if you want to fit in while you’re in Italy – make sure to only drink espresso in the morning!

Other than coffee, the poster also portrays the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Roman Coliseum. The Leaning Tower of Pisa, a free standing bell tower, is located in Pisa’s Cathedral Square. The landmark is famous because of its signature tilt. But how did it become lopsided in the first place? The tower’s slant occurred during construction, because its foundations are too soft on one side.

The Roman Coliseum is a must-see, attracting tourists from all over the world. The landmark sparks morbid fascination among its visitors, as it echoes Roman imperial power and cruelty. For centuries, Romans killed or maimed thousands of criminals, professional fighters and animals. The scenes were so gory that the Romans often dyed the sand on the ground red to hide the blood. During the Roman Empire, 250 amphitheatres were built in Europe, and these numbers evidence the popularity of the sport.

 

Italy! From Drinks of the World: Celebrating Europe