Strange but true Mr. U
,
I'd guess that they made Butterburr mainly for the RPG players who like to use figures, there's always a bar-fight eventually, so a barman is a necessity!
On special abilities, some would probably endow him with X-ray vision as Gandalf commented that 'he could see through a brick wall in time'
One of the essential factors in a wargame is morale, or bravery if you like. Although Barliman could not be exprected to stand up to the nazgul, I expect he could be relied upon to bash the odd ruffian if there was any trouble. I think its a certainty that he had a good stout stick behind the bar in case of a fracas at chucking-out time.
Cheers,
R