Galanthus miscellanea

[McDonough]

No, this topic does not describe a new species of Galanthus, it's but a miscellany of Galanthus tidbits of interest, or possibly of no interest, you'll be the judge.

I recently received an email from someone looking to write a piece about avid snowdrop collecting (Galathomania). In the correspondance she mentions an unusual connection between Galanthus and something called the Pusztai Affair.  Never having heard of the Pusztai Affair, I googled; very interesting indeed:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pusztai_affair

[McDonough]

Regardless of a surprise blizzard dumping 18" of snow, it won't be long before snow melts and snowdrops (Galanthus), Corydalis, and Dicentra cucullaria (Dutchman's breeches) will be popping up all over.  I came across this amusing connection with beer, from a Danish beer maker that has named two beers after plants, one for Galanthus nivalis, and the other for Dicentra cucullaria; the later an odd selection in that they chose a North American plant for their specialty beer.

Amager Dicentra Cucullaria beer, a bottle of Dicentra Cucullaria from Amager Bryghus in Kastrup, Denmark.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67975030@N00/7124992999

Video Review Amager Dicentra Cucullaria (2 dudes tasting and talking beer, 6 minutes)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdTl6vUH3hU

Amager Galanthus Nivalis beer
Review:
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/amager-galanthus-nivalis/119141/
Image:
https://untappd.s3.amazonaws.com/photo/2013_01_16/a2b9749609067cf76c19eb93da1c5727_640x640.jpg

Well's & Young unveils "botanical" beer, July 2008. Wells and Young's Brewery has teamed up with The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew to launch a new beer in the UK.
http://www.just-drinks.com/news/wells-young-unveils-botanical-beer_id94442.aspx

The article mentions John Lonsdale; but is this the same John Lonsdale of Edgewood Gardens in Pennsylvania, or perhaps a different person by the same name?
John Lonsdale, head of public programmes and curatorial support, said: "Kew is working to increase and share our acquired knowledge of plants, their potential uses and the importance that they have on surrounding biodiversity. As Kew approaches its 250th Anniversary in 2009, we are delighted to be working with our longstanding supporters, Wells and Young's."