• Brand new Bar Assistant Referee launched to coincide with the new season of the Premier League
• Pub company and brewer Greene King teams up with former footballer Darren Bent to trial new system

A brand new B.A.R (Bar Assistant Referee) system has today been unveiled by pub company and brewer Greene King. Using cameras, HD screens and an independent referee, B.A.R can review the pouring of pints in pub, ensuring perfection every time.

The world first creation is modelled on the VAR system used throughout the Premier League, in which a qualified referee watches match footage on a number of screens. Thanks to slow motion replays and multiple camera angles, the independent official can review footage and advise the on-field referee on goal decisions.

Greene King’s B.A.R uses the same principles, capturing footage of pints being poured in pub – which is then reviewed from multiple angles by an independent referee to officiate on glass angle, beer quality and pour technique.

What’s more, video footage is simultaneously displayed on screen throughout the pub, allowing pub goers to review the action in real time before a decision on the quality of the pint is made.

Former professional footballer Darren Bent teamed up with the leading pub company and brewer to trial the new system at The Finery, in central London this week.

Over ten years ago, Bent made headlines for his infamous beach ball goal against Liverpool, when his shot deflected off a rogue inflatable on the pitch before hitting the back of the net.

At the time, there was no VAR system in place to review controversial goals, as the system wasn’t introduced until 2018.

Former professional footballer Darren Bent said: “Ever since VAR was first introduced, there’s been a huge amount of inconsistency with decision making, resulting in some seriously controversial calls over the years.

“There’s a huge number of people that believe VAR has no place on the pitch, but I’m delighted to say the same doesn’t apply to the new B.A.R system.

“Pouring a perfect pint takes skill, and thanks to the new system the crowd here at The Finery can watch the masters at work in real time. Everything from the angle of the pour, to the quality of the head on the pint is captured in minute detail thanks to B.A.R.”

Michelle West, Marketing Controller for Greene King Sport said: “Sport is a huge part of the atmosphere and experience in our pubs, so launching a world first Bar Assistant Referee seemed like the perfect way to bring both the sport world and the pub world together.

“Thanks to the latest technology and slow motion replay, B.A.R will ensure that we’re serving the perfect pint every time for sports fans.”

To find your local sports pub, visit: https://www.greeneking.co.uk/pubs-near-me/sport

-ENDS-

For more information, or any other media enquiries please contact greeneking@wearebrazenpr.com

Notes to editors

About Greene King:

Greene King is the country’s leading pub company and brewer with c.2,600 pubs, restaurants and hotels across England, Wales and Scotland.

At Greene King we are passionate about delivering our purpose to ‘pour happiness into lives’. That’s for our customers, our team, our pub partners, our suppliers and the communities in which we live, operate and serve. Founded in 1799 with offices in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk and Burton on Trent in Staffordshire we employ around 39,000 people across the group with four divisions: Greene King pubs, Destination Brands, Partnership and Ventures, and Brewing & Brands.

Greene King pubs are located where people and communities come together; pubs enjoyed in cities, towns and villages throughout the country.

Destination Brands is a mixture of food and drink-led brands including Hungry Horse, Farmhouse Inns, Chef & Brewer, Wacky Warehouse, and Pub & Carvery, Pub & Dining, and Pub & Grill.

Partnerships & Ventures includes Pub Partners, which runs our tenanted and leased pubs business and Hive Franchise pubs, and our Ventures Brands which is made up of Metropolitan Pub Company, Hickory’s, Hotels Group, and Crafted Pubs.

Brewing & Brands covers the brewing sides of the business. Quality ales are brewed at the Westgate Brewery in Bury St Edmunds and the Belhaven Brewery in Dunbar. Our industry-leading portfolio includes Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen, Abbot Ale, Ice Breaker, and Belhaven Best, and our premium beers, Level Head and Flint Eye, brewed for the modern-day drinker.