IF you've spent part of your evening on the Singapore Flyer and been a tad underwhelmed by the experience, there's a simple antidote that could completely transform it - a decent alcoholic beverage. Something to munch would also be a good idea. The proper food-and-drink combination is the difference between wondering what to do with yourself after the first five minutes, and feeling like you're partying on top of the world.

That's exactly what Archipelago Brewery is going to do for 20 people through its 'Beer Appreciation In The Sky' promotion, which lasts until the end of the month. The local micro-brewery is giving away 10 pairs of tickets to lucky buyers of so-called Archipelago Boats, which are take-away packs comprising five bottles of beer. You get a scratch-and-win card that can let you win free mini-glasses and tank tops, or beer on the Flyer.

Needless to say, the prize you want to win is the airborne food-and-beer pairing experience, which is a first for the Flyer and for Archipelago. Don't let the rather pedestrian selection method put you off, because it's really worth checking out.

And while there might be more perceived value to it if you were made to wait in line to buy tickets - which would still be worth it - this is one of those elusive free-but-good combinations.

Archipelago brewmaster Fal Allen gave the media a preview of the experience last Thursday, and walked everyone through what the public can expect.

There were three items on the finger-food menu - marinated scallop with mango compote, jackfruit and cucumber wrapped in rice paper, and smoked duck breast with pencil asparagus.

The scallop was paired with Traveller's Wheat beer, which is like Hoegaarden wheat beer but with a tamarind spice taste instead of fruitiness. Sour tamarind and seafood go perfectly. The rice paper invention went with Samui, which is brewed in the same way as Traveller's Wheat, but uses calamansi lime to give a citrus edge to the beer. Even if you don't like Samui beer by itself, the acidity goes perfectly with the jackfruit and cucumber. The Brown Ale is flavoured with ginger and gula melaka sugar, which makes it the perfect antidote for any gaminess in the duck.

Currently, the public can't take their own alcoholic drinks on to the Singapore Flyer, but if you miss Archipelago's promotion, the Flyer has its own promotions you can take advantage of. The Singapore Flyer Signature Cocktail Flight, as the name suggests, includes a special cocktail, of which there are both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions. Prices range from $48.30 for children to $69 for adults.

Then there's the Capsule Dining package, which is a nice private affair. Two different menus of canapes are available, including items like smoked salmon rosette, but there's no booze, and only non-alcoholic beverages to choose from. You do get a pair of in-flight attendants, but because you'll be booking up the entire capsule, you'll be charged the princely sum of $500.

What would really hit the spot would be a permanent bar in one of the capsules, and maybe some party music piped in. If revellers really got into the spirit of things and wanted to stay for more than one half-hour trip, the Flyer could charge them per revolution. It would sure beat being stone-cold sober with a bunch of strangers in a capsule with limited seating.