Pusser's Scuttlebutt

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Pusser's at Loews

Loews Lake Las Vegas

Loews has added Pusser's Rum to its Beverage Menu in its 17 US hotels. Loews has properties in the following destinations:

Tucson, Arizona
Coronado, California
Santa Monica, California
Denver, Colorado
Washington, DC
St. Pete Beach, Florida
Miami Beach, Florida
Orlando, Florida (three locations)
Atlanta, Georgia
New Orleans, Louisiana
Annapolis, Maryland
Lake Las Vegas (Henderson), Nevada
New York, New York
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Nashville, Tennessee

You can find out more about the hotels in these destinations here:

Up spirits at Loews!

August 25 2010 9:57 AM | Permalink

BassAckwards Race 2010

2010 marked the 13th year for the BassAckwards Race (Red Brook Harbor and Buzzards Bay, MA) and the seventh consecutive year of Pusser’s involvement as a major sponsor of the weekend’s festivities.

This year’s race featured some of the most spirited competition in the history of the race. Racing under light and variable winds in a pursuit race format, and competing against a field of 43 other boats including three previous race winners, Seannine pulled off a photo finish against the number two racer, Sleigh Ride. In fact, less than two minutes separated the first five boats to finish, and 10 boats crossed the line within ten minutes of the winner!

Pusser’s was served to all boat crews and their guests at the Captain’s Meeting and subsequent Pre-Race Party on the grounds at event host Kingman Yacht Center. Pusser’s & Coke and Painkillers were the only distilled beverages served at the party, served as part of the invitation-only party’s open bar.

The Bourne Harbormaster estimated that the post-race Awards/Beach Party was attended by some 800 boats and approximately 4,000 people, a well-behaved crowd that was the largest assembly ever to gather at Bassetts Island – more than twice last year!

August 11 2010 10:53 AM | Permalink

Pusser’s Rum marks Black Tot Day At Navy Days In England

Pusser’s Rum marked the 40th anniversary of Black Tot Day with a re-enactment of the daily rum tot on July 30 next to HMS Victory at the first of three Portsmouth Navy Days celebrating the senior service. Black Tot Day (31st July 1970) mourned by many, was the day the Admiralty ended the centuries old tradition of issuing a daily tot of rum to serving sailors of the Royal Navy. The final Up Spirits took place between 11am and 12 noon when the last measure of Pusser’s Rum was served to the crews of Royal Navy ships.

The Pusser’s Rum re-enactment crew, dressed in naval gear of Nelson’s period, were accompanied by the Exmouth Shanty Men singing famous old sea songs such as ‘All for me Grog’ and ‘Nelson’s Blood’. The songs recall the creation of grog (a mix of rum, lime juice and sugar) and the death of Nelson whose body was shipped back to England in a rum cask to preserve it after the battle of Trafalgar. Legend says that the barrel was dry when opened. Thirsty sailors had bored a hole and, literally, drunk Nelson’s blood.

Black Tot Day ended an enshrined 300-year tradition in which the daily rum measure shrank from half a pint a day from its introduction in the 17th century (the standard measure right up to the latter part of the 19th century), to one eighth of a pint (equivalent to three measures) of 54.5% ABV Caribbean rum. The rum was watered down in the Scuttlebutt and either drunk on the spot or collected in a rum fanny for the sailors’ mess.

But while the tradition has gone, Pusser’s Rum survives. This is due to the initiative of Charles Tobias, entrepreneur, global sailor, raconteur. He came across Pusser’s when invited for some on board hospitality on a ship of the Royal Navy while circumnavigating the world. He loved it so much he persuaded the Admiralty to let him produce Pusser’s for public consumption and launched it commercially in 1979.

In return Pusser’s donates a royalty on every bottle sold into a Tot Fund to provide on-shore amenities for serving sailors. The Fund was created with a capital sum by Government in compensation for the loss of the daily rum tot. To-date, Pusser’s has donated more than £1 million to the Fund and is its largest source of income other than the interest earned by the Fund’s capital.

August 2 2010 12:03 PM | Permalink

Mahogany Memories 2010

On July 10, 2010, Pussers Rum again stepped up and sponsored the 26th annual Mahogany Memories Wooden Boat Show for the Southern New England Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society. It was held all day at the Connecticut River Museum, in Essex, CT, after which Pussers provided a Painkiller party, followed by trophy presentations of Pussers decanters to the Best Restored and Best Preserved antique and/or classic wooden boats, and Pussers flagons to the Peoples Choice and the Judges Choice antique and/or classic boats.

Bartenders Patty and Cliff McGuire (truly Pusser’s Ambassadors), Don Gildea (visiting from Florida for the second year), and Ann-Marie, Lynn and Ed Dombroskas were busy for almost two hours when the bar opened, making up five gallon pails of Painkillers and Navy Grog, as well as setting up the bar with many banners (both large and small), posters, “Splice the Main Brace” pennant arrangements, and also setting up for Pussers with ginger beer, Pusser’s and Coke, and other assorted Pusser’s drinks. This year, due to the popularity of the Painkillers, it was necessary to go back and make up an additional “pail” of Painkillers, despite starting with a 150 drink start-up “pail”. “Once people try these drinks, with moderation, they just can’t get enough of them,” said Cliff McGuire. “Last call” was at 6.30pm, and many very satisfied new customers, as well as many veteran customers, left the Bar to enjoy a well deserved and very well prepared Buffet, provided by The Lions Club of Old Saybrrok, CT.

“Once again Pussers’ generosity and their public relations did a fantastic job bringing the Pussers name into the Connecticut River marketplace,” added Cliff.

“As a result of the many cocktail parties sponsored by Pusser’s at the Mahogany Memories Boat Shows over the years, there have been numerous converts from the competition, and now many regular customers, who swear by its taste, and truly enjoy Pusser’s with tonic, Coca-Cola, Ginger Beer, or just enjoy Pusser’s on the rocks (especially tasty on a cold New England winter night).

“As the original bartender from the first Pusser’s sponsored cocktail party, I can very honestly say people just love the taste of Pussers, and, despite the fact that the show was only a week ago, already people are talking about what a great rum, and a great sponsor Pusser’s has been supporting our Mahogany Memories Boat Shows and are looking forward to joining us in 2011 for another fun-filled weekend, with a great party atmosphere.”

July 19 2010 5:45 AM | Permalink

Pusser's-sponsored BassAckwards Race coming up

For the 7th consecutive year, Pusser's is the presenting sponsor of the 13th Annual BassAckwards Race Weekend at Kingman Yacht Center on Cape Cod. Pusser's Painkillers willl be flowing at the opening night and awards/beach parties.

Born as so many great ideas are, over beers in a bar, the BassAckwards Race started as the “what if” of a handful of local sailors who were looking for something to do on a Saturday afternoon. “What if” they could put together a just-for-fun race down the bay that could be enjoyed by serious racers and casual sailors alike? “What if” they could involve the whole local boating community – not just the sailors – in a day full of fun on the water? Maybe some music. “What if” they could bring a band to the island to celebrate the day? And “what if” they could pull this all together without going broke?

More than a decade has passed, and the BassAckwards Race has grown into a Buzzards Bay tradition. Held every year on the last Saturday in July, some 300 participants man a fleet of 50 or so boats to compete for the cup, the chair, and bragging rights as the team that somehow managed to get to Cleveland Ledge Light and back faster than anyone else without loss of life, limb or dignity.

2009 began a new era for BassAckwards. Production of the race has passed from the founders to the Kingman Yacht Club, introducing a greater organizational capability and renewed energy. The beloved “fun race” is still central to the weekend, plus a “real,” formal race has been added to expand the appeal to more serious competitors – awarding a traveling trophy and a challenge to sailors all around the bay. Captains and crew are entertained and properly lubricated at Friday night’s party and, of course, join together with the whole community on Bassetts Island after the race.

As the race weekend has grown and morphed over the years, BassAckwards has retained the spirit of a “pirate race". For real … but not really. For some it’s the racing, for many it is the parties, and for everyone it’s a weekend of fun and foolery.

July 1 2010 10:03 AM | Permalink

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