STOP PRESS - Beermountain are currently planning a world record attempt for 2008 - check our forum for more information
 

"Before I contemplate opening a bottle of beer, its vital to get the base sorted out - this might not matter too much for the first couple of feet, but a 2 degree angle, gives you the leaning tower of Pisa at 5 feet, so this is critical. You can see here the main tools of the trade - tent pegs, silicone glue, a mallet and a wooden base board"

"It's all in the detail - use a part full bottle of beer on its side as a spirit level and then choc your base board to make it level. Then put tent pegs in either end to keep the first layer stable as there will be nothing to keep it in place"

"Voila - note how all the bottles are the same brand to allow precision positioning. Vital to protect you from possible avalanches as you get further up the peak"

"I suggest new mountaineers try to save up empties for a full row at a time rather than position bottles one by one. In our team we appoint a "Keeper of the Mountain" to stop anyone walking by sticking any old bottles on. You also save glue and get a better effect when they are all done in one go"

"Once you get to about 3 feet you should consider a guy rope - this is a strung through a bottle top and attached to the mountain, ideally in the direction of the prevailing wind. Our dual peaks last year were the maximum height I would use without guys"

"Disaster - a mix of bottles, poor glueing technique together with adding extra layers down the side have led to a potentially dangerous avalanche"

"Seen here - rescue is useless. But nice idea with the lighting effect behind the peak!"

"The topping out ceremony is a major event in our team - we plan to do this on Sunday night these days - seen here, Kojak and Baldrick add the final bottles"

"Mr Disco and I often get called upon to adjudicate major mountains. Here you can see an early emerging favourite on Saturday lunchtime at Maison Blanche. Note the reversed out bottles - a style which has emerged in just the last couple of years. Team Goatnob topped out here at well over a thousand bottles"

"Finally, a word of warning - always let your team know if you are going off piste so they can keep an eye out for you. We recommend a Breitling Emergency watch as well, in case you get buried and need someone to come and dig you out.. Oh, and finally a plug, if you want to make your record official - just let us know and we will send a judge round - failing that, at least take a camera. If you are interested in the rules, you can find them here."

Thanks Mr T - I always thought glue was cheating, but I'm coming round to your safe approach to the sport. Role on the next race! Ed.