Rock band Status Quo releases a beer

Would you buy a beer from a band of wrinklies? Or a greasy burger from Mick Jagger? Rock stars are not exactly the types to endorse the, um, more folksy delights, are they? Yet, the British rock band Status Quo, led by sixtysomethings Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi, have rolled out their own ale brand in February 2014 into the UK pub chain JD Wetherspoon.

The stars, who are probably better known for their love of other tipples, teamed up with Wychwood Brewery to create their beer, Piledriver, named after their 1972 album, which has become available in Wetherspoon’s over 800 pubs.

Reportedly, Status Quo wanted to create something special for their fans. The result is Piledriver, a 4.3 percent ABV amber ale which is available in bottles and on draught.

Wouldn’t you have expected something with a bit more buzz than just 4.3 percent ABV from a rock band whose loud music can make your ears buzz?

Wetherspoon’s CEO John Hutson was quoted as saying: "We are delighted that Piledriver is being launched exclusively in our pubs. Our customers love real ale and I am confident they will enjoy the beer."

For the pub operators, rock band beers are the latest marketing fad. The alternative rock band Elbow from Manchester also has a beer out called Charge, which is described as “a refreshing golden pale ale with a session-friendly ABV of 4.2 percent”. It was created by Elbow in collaboration with Marston’s brewery and punters can buy it exclusively in the Nicholson’s pub chain.

Why rock bands pile into beer is equally obvious. Having their beer in pubs with all the surrounding publicity can mean a boost to their music sales. That’s called cross promotion. Incidentally, Elbow has a new album out called Charge and Status Quo’s 1972 album Piledriver is being reissued in a deluxe edition on 24 March 2014.

The question is: whose beer will be next? Barry Manilow’s perhaps?