Apart from Highgate Brewery’s respectful nod to Birmingham’s famous dish, there is one slightly less well known drink also celebrating the Balti .
In the nineties, a drink called the ‘Balti Bite’ was all the rage which was a potent mix of 7.5 per cent Barley Wine and Cider … seemed like the ideal foil for a Balti Chicken Vindaloo!
Some tactless comments from MP Paul Scully about Sparkhill, part of the Balti Triangle hit the headlines when he suggested the area was a ‘no go’ zone.
This area is one I know well as not only was I born and bred in the area but one I have visited for over forty years to enjoy Birmingham’s iconic dish.
Never in that time have I felt threatened or had my car vandalised and Scully does this area no favours with his tactless and racist comments. I particularly say racist as he could equally pick on areas with minimal Muslim populations where as often happens a minority of young people have a phase of doing a few stupid things often due to lack of parental control and guidance … something which is rarer in a community of practising Muslims bound by the code of religious ethics.
Luckily Mr. Scully has been called out for his ill-timed comments which could well have had a negative effect on businesses in the area.