The Museum Tavern, a pub directly opposite the British Museum in Bloomsbury, has unveiled an eight-metre-long “Beer Tapestry” as a tongue-in-cheek response to the historic return of the Bayeux Tapestry to Britain. The artwork, which is on display throughout September, offers drinkers an embroidered saga of Britain's relationship with alcohol.
A Rival to the Bayeux Tapestry
Created as a playful counterpart to the famous Norman embroidery, the Beer Tapestry picks up where the Bayeux Tapestry leaves off. According to its creators, the story begins in 1066 and follows centuries of British brewing through a series of illustrated scenes.
The tapestry includes depictions of William the Conqueror, the arrival of hopped beers from the continent, the growth of the brewing industry, and the role pubs have played in British daily life over the centuries. The artwork was carefully placed above the bar, receiving the “museum treatment” as staff prepared it for display.
Pub Renamed and Guest Ale Launched
In honour of the artwork, The Museum Tavern has temporarily renamed itself “The Beer Tapestry.” The pub is also selling a guest ale of the same name, giving museum visitors an amusing way to round off their trip to see one of the world's most famous medieval artefacts.
Unlike the real tapestry across the road, viewers can marvel at this particular tapestry while enjoying a pint and other beverages.
Bayeux Tapestry Draws Crowds
The Bayeux Tapestry, which tells the story of the Norman Conquest and the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings in 1066, has returned to Britain for the first time in nearly 1,000 years as part of a major exhibition at the British Museum. The arrival of the historic embroidery has generated huge public interest, with tickets completely sold out until the end of 2026.
Two more ticket allocations will open for the exhibition's run through 2027, ensuring continued access for those eager to see the artefact.
