Clues by Enigmatist and Grid by Bozzy
Enter the prize draw by 31 October.
The background for this puzzle is a Graham Fox photograph depicting many large barrels.
This puzzle by Enigmatist uses a conventional 7x5x6 grid by Bozzy and commemorates an event whose name appears unclued in the grid (Day 15). Both clues and solutions include many varieties of a thematic substance, and versions of a thematic word which traditionally accompanies its use. Solvers must submit a suitable and rhyming name for the puzzle (5,3,6) based on these thematic items with their entries.
Be sure to use the correct spelling of the event in the appropriate language rather than an occasionally used Anglicised version.
The thematic words accompanying the use of the thematic substance are salutations in various languages and do not always appear in English dictionaries. The usual English equivalent appears as an answer to one of the clues and this version should be combined with a rhyming form of the thematic substance to give the title (5,3,6).
Enigmatist has brewed a lovely puzzle from Bozzy’s mouth-watering grid. I feel in need of refreshment. Your very good health!
Day 2
Nice ale is it, that is in top of bar for starters? (5)
Only Day 2 and already into a foreign language. This is an old favourite. The word nice as a noun and not as an adjective…à vous de jouer. [GS]
Day 4
Smoke bombs close bar when ESB runs out (5)
The start of this clue is a bit naughty; “a smoke” is the definition. It’s an anagram (indicator bombs) first employing eight letters then with the removal of ESB down to the required five. [GS]
Day 5
Extremely coarse earl, after something to chew, swallows last of Beer Street (7)
More naughtiness — “extremely” in a clue often means the use of the first and last letters of the following word; in this example CE. But not here. Here “extremely course” is the solution. So, one letter for ‘earl’ after three letters for what cows do. Now include the letter R (swallows). Finishing with the abbreviation for Street will confirm that the solution is indeed a superlative. [GS]
Day 7
Doom Bar order perverted the ancient acts (5)
Cunning use of a well-known ale: bar means we should remove an abbreviation for order from Doom. Perverted indicates that we need to follow with an anagram to get an archaic word for acts. [NI]
Day 12
With new spell, one wizard 3! (2,7)
No magic here! New spell is your anagram indicator and 3 refers to day 3 answer. Unscramble one wizard to give you a Polish bottoms up! [JP]
Day 19
9 women,sacked from their service, with impudence talk back (7)
Referral to another clue again. Think of a former women’s part of the UK military (disbanded 1993) then take away an abbreviation (women sacked). Add a short word for impudent talk and put it all back to give your type of 9. [JP]
Day 22
Caledonian Dry remains around Aberdeen, most commonly (5)
Look for a 4-letter remains (in the sense of that which is left) and insert the most common letter of Aberdeen to get a Caledonian word for dry. [NI]
Day 25
North is due back to get Stitched Up (3,2)
Usual abbreviation for North followed by a word for is due. Back means we reverse the whole thing. The resulting 2-word phrase doesn’t appear in any of my dictionaries, but describes an embroidered patch of the sort that one attaches using a needle and thread, rather than an iron. [NI]
Day 27
Enduring -uch a -ipple (5)
The missing letters could be said to be ‘out’. The result gives you a word that can mean enduring and also a drink. [JP]
I am grateful to the other members of the Hints & Tips team: Garry Stripling (Gin) and Jim Pennington (Philostrate).
Happy solving!
Nick Inglis (etc)