As of March 1, Cathay Pacific began serving its own craft beer to first- and business-class passengers on flights between Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. The beer is available through April 30.
The brew was crafted with reduced bitterness and increased sweetness to compensate for the way taste perception changes at altitude. Named “Betsey” after the airline’s first Douglas DC-3 that flew in the 1940s and 50s, the recipe combines ingredients sourced from both Hong Kong and the UK.
Brewed by Hong Kong Beer Co., the beer features local dragon eye fruit and Hong Kong honey alongside Fuggle hops from the UK.
“We all know that food tastes very different while in the air, primarily because cabin pressure dulls taste buds and changes how you perceive flavours. For drinks, we spend a lot of time pairing wines with our menus. That has been more challenging with beer — you can’t simply take a product brewed on the ground and expect it to work the same in the air,” said Aaron Claxton, head of catering at Cathay Pacific, during a media launch in Hong Kong.