Cobra beer to add froth at British queen's diamond jubilee event

London, April 18 (IANS) Cobra Beer, run by Indian origin entrepreneur Lord Karan Bilimoria, has been chosen as the sole supplier of beer for British Queen Elizabeth II's diamond jubilee function to be held at Buckingham Palace garden on June 4.

Cobra draught beer will be served to guests at the function, accompanying hampers provided by Heston Blumenthal and Waitrose, bottles of water from Hildon, and Moet and Chandon champagne, the company said in a statement.

Performers and their guests at the function, to be attended by nearly 12,000 people, will also be able to enjoy the unique taste of Cobra at the exclusive reception at Buckingham Palace following the concert.

"It is a matter of great pride for all of us at Cobra to be the supplier of beer for the Queen's jubilee picnic and concert. Cobra has existed for just over one-third of Queen Elizabeth II's reign, and in that time it has become a household name," said Lord Karan Bilimoria, founder and chairman of Cobra Beer.

"Given Cobra's Indian heritage, we feel our presence at these celebrations also serves to represent the Commonwealth, an institution which we know Her Majesty values greatly," he said.

Bilimoria, who is the president of UK-India Business Council, said selection of Cobra as the sole supplier of beer for the queen's function was a matter of great pride for the 2.5 million-strong Asian community living in Britain.

He said Cobra beer, positioned as "splendidly Indian, superbly smooth", will be the perfect accompaniment to the special picnic being provided by Heston Blumenthal and Waitrose, and to the regal atmosphere of the event.