Travel, but not much beer.

Some of you may be familiar with the concept of a "Mileage Run" but for those of you who aren't here is more information that you probably want to know...

There are crazy people out there (yours truly included) who sometimes get on a plane just to earn frequent flyer miles. Sometimes it is to earn "redeemable miles" -- those you can later turn in for a free ticket, but more often it is for "status miles" -- also called BIS Miles ("Butt in Seat") -- of which the more you earn in a year, the higher your ranking in the frequently flyer program.

Now with a "true" mileage run you never leave the airport -- you arrive at your destination and kill some time until the return flight leaves on you hop aboard. I tried that once and it wasn't all that fun for me. Plus it raises some embarrassing questions when the flight attendant recognizes you and says "weren't you just on this flight" and you have to explain that you are one of those crazy people who ride airplanes for fun.

So I an not a purist and try and spend a day or two or three somewhere interesting when doing a mileage. A couple of times there have been quick trips to Düsseldorf for Sticke beer at Uerige and once it was to go to an Old Ale Festival at the White Horse Pub in Parsons Green, London.

Anyway, this weekend I am going to Hong Kong -- not particularly well known for beer, but its a place I've always wanted to visit so when the opportunity came for a mileage run, I jumped on it. There are a couple of pubs with names like "Hong Kong Brewhouse" and "East End Brewery" so I'll visit those and check them out (and report back). Must mostly I'll be a tourist wandering around the city and eating very well.

So watch this space...