No Carib on flight to Bahrain

So they had to settle for a watery Tahitian substitute that was no substitute for the lager brewed in Champs Fleurs which is well known and loved all around the world.

This noticeable absence of the official beer of the Warriors on a transatlantic flight taking the footballers and supporters for a one-off crucial World Cup match in the middle eastern island caused ripples of derision on the 13 1/2 hour non-stop journey.

And the butt of the jokes was none other than Colin Murray, Marketing Manager of Carib Brewery who at one point had to seek refuge from the barbs tossed his way by football fans forced to swallow the pale imitation.

"I can’t believe that a man could take licks for an entire 13 1/2 hour trip like I did," said Murray.

However, non-availability of the popular beer on the flight was no fault of Murray’s who occupied a seat in Business Class.

It was in the Coach Class at the back of the plane where criticism of the absence of Trinidad and Tobago grog for the flight was voiced the loudest as the party which started shortly after take-off early on Saturday night continued near to touchdown in Bahrain near midnight on Sunday.

It appears as though all arrangements for the drinks in the in-flight bar were made by officials of the charter, Air Tahiti Nui who are based in French Polynesia.

So their beer and spirits were Tahiti brands which were grudgingly consumed by the discriminating Trinidad and Tobago supporters numbering more than 150 on the trip to Bahrain.

The rum on board, it was also reported was from the Pacific Ocean archipelago and was not as anywhere near as strong as the Fernandes of Angostura varieties.

The issue of liquor occupied the minds of many who used the opportunity to purchase copious quantities in-bond at much cheaper prices that would normally be charged in the Bahrain hotels.

Some worried that Bahrain was an Islamic country which banned liquor and their bottles would be confiscated at the airport.

There was no need for the overreaction as the island is very secular with hotels openly offering alcoholic drinks to their guests.