hmmm, since Rollo is drinking the mead with a straw, I assume he wants the umbrella to shade the keg and keep the hot sun off of it. (I skillfully attach a group of 5 umbrellas to the keg and add a remote control unit. I hand the unit to rollo so that he can adjust the umbrellas as needed throughout the day.)
Cheers!
P.S. You know, I really miss your nice collection of shovels. Did you get any new ones in your absense?