SO who said lager was a dirty, filthy five-letter word?
It was time to get on our knees in the crypt hall of Liverpool's Catholic cathedral - and give thanks for what we were about to receive: a sparkling new creation from the city's born again brewery and another night to (try and) remember.
And what better event for Cains to launch what it proudly describes as "The first true premium British lager" than the Liverpool Beer Festival, this year celebrating its 30th anniversary?
The four-day festival - which sold out a month ago - is enjoying a magnificent seventh year in the spectacular surroundings of its spiritual home. This year's theme is Real Beer, Real Food, Real Pubs.
More than 200 beers are there to be enjoyed, with brothers Sudarghara and Ajmail Dusanj hoping that their new brew - already enthusiastically endorsed by Roger Protz, editor of the Camra Good Beer Guide - could make it a hat-trick of festival successes for Cains.
The company won the Beer of the 2003 Festival award for its Cains 2008 Celebration Ale, then won the 2004 award for its new cask version of Cains Fine Raisin Ale.
And to think that, less than three years ago, the ECHO was campaigning to help save the historic Robert Cain brewery as its former owners, the Brewery Group of Denmark, tried to attract buyers for the then 152-year-old business.
Cains, we said, was a jewel in Merseyside's crown and time must not be called on the multiawardwinning company. Thankfully, Merseyside rallied, while beer festival organisers Camra (the Campaign For Real Ale), Liverpool and Districts branch, launched the Cains Supporters Club.
Enter, in July 2002, the Dusanj brothers, Sudarghara and Ajmail - and a new era for Cains.
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