Speight's Gold Medal Ale, a name people struggle with

As politicians agonise over the country's liquor laws, a Manawatu rural banker with a beer of a name will be voting in this year's election.

 

The man registered for the general election is legally called? Speight's Gold Medal Ale.

 

His unusual moniker has seen him denied entry to bars, rodeos, and confounded police officers because of his name.

 

Recently he received his first speeding ticket and the officer was taken aback when he read the driver's licence, the Manawatu Standard reported.

 

The officer said it was only the second time in 20 years he'd encountered such a strange name, with the other something like Hiroshima Jellyfish.

 

``He still nailed me $150 for doing 115km/h,'' Speight's Gold Medal Ale said.

 

However his parents were not to blame for the name he shares with the South Island beer, he changed it by deed poll four years ago when he won a Lion Nathan competition.

 

He was born Tom Hayman, from the Hakataramea Valley in North Otago.

 

The Lion Nathan prize was a year's supply of beer but the catch was he had to change his name by deed poll.

 

It amounted to 150 dozen stubbies and he also got two trips to the Wellington Sevens.

 

``I didn't buy a box of beer for 18 months,'' he said.

 

He has been rebuffed at bars and even at the Methven Rodeo when showing his identification.

 

When form filling he's often asked whether he has been known by any other name.

 

``I don't know what to think. Sometimes I leave it blank,'' Speight's Gold Medal Ale said.

 

NZPA

- NZPA