Hitchhiker completes '˜beer-powered' trip from Edinburgh to India

Manny Marshall set off from Edinburgh eight weeks ago, and journeyed for 5,000 miles across France, Germany, Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Greece.

Sponsored by a beer company, he only carried only IPA on his trip, which was in homage to the 18th and 19th century IPAs (India Pale Ale) which travelled by sea from Britain to India.

He handed out more than 120 cans of IPA to the strangers he met along the way.

Manny, 42, was flown from Athens to the city of Mumbai to avoid the volatile Middle East, leaving him with just 900 miles to go in his journey.

On his pilgrimage he shared a beer with a newly-wed couple posing for pictures on Prague’s Charles Bridge.

He also had a drink at the steps of the 2,500-year-old Acropolis in Athens.

And he hitched a rise on a tuk-tuk in Mumbai, finally ending his journey on Wednesday with a final sip of IPA underneath the India Gate in Delhi.

Manny said: “I’ve been hitchhiking for a long time now, but this was definitely my biggest challenge yet.

“I was moved by the kindness of the people I met along the way. Language may have been a barrier at times, but this trip showed me that beer is truly a universal tongue.

“I’ve learned a great deal about the world over the last eight weeks and I encourage anyone who is thinking of a similar trip to quit hesitating and give it a go.”

Dougal Gunn Sharp, Innis & Gunn founder and master brewer added: “This was no easy task.

“We’re elated that Manny has been able to share our beer with so many people from different walks of life on his journey to India.

“Manny has been an absolute trooper throughout the journey, he has kept the team here entertained with his vividly described and hilarious tales from his trip.”

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