11 February 2010
ALE LAUNCHED TO CELEBRATE COLLINGWOOD 2010 FESTIVAL
A new beer has been launched to celebrate the life of one of the North East’s greatest heroes.
The ale has been produced by Wylam Brewery for the Collingwood 2010 Festival, a year-long series of events to mark the 200th anniversary of the death of Admiral Lord Collingwood, who played a crucial role at the Battle of Trafalgar.
And within hours of its arrival in North East pubs the new brew was already proving a winner with drinkers.
John Boyle, managing director of the Tyne Valley-based Wylam Brewery, said: “The Festival Ale is going down very well indeed. In fact demand was so strong that we sold most of the first 3,200 litre batch in a couple of days.
“We had a report from the Central Bar in Gateshead that their first 72-pint cask sold out in two or three hours, when a popular cask ale would normally last two or three days.
“Our brewers Ben and Lee have really excelled themselves with this. They used two relatively new American hybrid hops to give the beer its distinct character and aroma.”
He added: “We were very proud to be asked to create a special brew for the festival and now it looks like it's going to become a regular in our portfolio. The first batch of 700 bottles will be available in the next couple of weeks with much larger batches in the pipeline.”
Captain Stephen Healy, Chairman of the Collingwood 2010 Festival Committee, said: “We’re delighted to have Wylam Brewery on board. They have produced a superb beer to help us celebrate the life and achievements of one of our greatest heroes.”
The 4.1% ABV pale ale is described as “honey-soaked in colour with a sweet tangerine aroma from the finishing hop, light and soft bodied with a citrus zest/fresh pinewood flavour and an appetisingly dry and bitter finish”.
It will be enjoyed at a civic dinner hosted by the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Cllr Mike Cookson, on 6 March, which forms part of a special weekend of Collingwood events.
The following day, Sunday 7 March – the 200th anniversary of Collingwood’s death at sea – there will be a naval parade through the city and a memorial service in St Nicholas Cathedral, followed by a spectacular event at the Collingwood Monument, Tynemouth with warship and gun salutes, attended by the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope.
Collingwood was born in Newcastle in 1748 and went to sea at 13. At Trafalgar in 1805 he was Nelson's second-in-command and his ship, the Royal Sovereign, was the first into action. As Nelson lay mortally wounded it was Collingwood who directed the fleet to victory.
The Collingwood 2010 Festival is devoted to bringing him out of Nelson’s shadow and into the public gaze. Throughout the year events will take place in Newcastle, Tynemouth, Gateshead, Morpeth, Sunderland and other venues across the North East.
Capt Healy said: “Anyone who has sailed in or out of the River Tyne, or visited the coast at Tynemouth or South Shields, is aware of the Collingwood Monument and every Geordie knows Collingwood Street in Newcastle.
“Few however know much about the man for whom they are named and the festival is intended to raise Collingwood’s profile, making adults and children alike aware of the achievements of this true local hero and his place in this nation’s history”.
PIC: Captain Stephen Healy, Chairman of the Collingwood 2010 Festival Committee (left) and Matt Boyle, of Wylam Brewery, toast the launch of the new ale at the Collingwood Monument, Tynemouth.
ends
NOTE TO EDITORS: For further information on the Collingwood 2010 Festival please contact David Simpson, Powdene Publicity, on 0191 265 0040 / 07808 327756 or davidbsimpson1@aol.com
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