With just weeks to go until the Grand Départ spins into action across Yorkshire, Ilkley Brewery has launched a commemorative beer, named Marie Jaune, which will be sold in 29 Booths supermarkets and in Harvey Nichols stores in Leeds and London.
In honour of the Tour de France’s roots, the West Yorkshire brewery has created Marie Jaune using two French hops, Triskel and Bouclier, as well as a French yeast. The end result is a 4.5% light, refreshing blonde beer which is available in bottle, cask and keg.
Customers to all 29 Booths stores in Yorkshire, Cumbria, Lancashire, Cheshire and the MediaCityUK Manchester outlet, will be able try Marie Jaune from 18 June. Harvey Nichols will be stocking the commemorative beer from week commencing 2 June and it will also be available for diners at Harvey Nichols’ OXO Tower restaurant at London’s South Bank as well as on its website.
As well as Booths and Harvey Nichols, Marie Jaune will also be available in pubs along the entire Yorkshire route: from Leeds in to the Yorkshire Dales and Harrogate and from York through to Cragg Vale and Sheffield.
In Ilkley, Marie Jaune will be served at pop-up bars at the Town Centre Race on Tuesday 1 July as well as at The Crescent and Bar t’at, also in Ilkley. Beer and cycle fans will also be able to try Marie Jaune at The Swan and The Fleece in Addingham and at local campsites.
Leaderboard labels
Customers purchasing bottles of Marie Jaune can choose from three different label designs, each representative of the yellow, green and polka dot cycling jerseys worn by Tour de France competitors. The yellow jersey (maillot jaune) being the general leader, the green jersey (maillot vert) attributing the points leader and the polka dot jersey (maillot à pois rouge) signifying the mountain leader.
Speaking about the brewery’s Tour beer, director, Richard Shelton, said: “Marie Jaune has been in the making for quite some time, probably since it was announced that the Grand Départ would be coming to Yorkshire last year. We’re all steadfast cycling fans here at Ilkley Brewery so we were keen to ensure the beer marked the occasion fittingly and that it also honoured the Tour’s French origins.
“Marie Jaune, which plays on the name of our flagship beer, Mary Jane, as well as the Tour de France’s famous yellow jersey, not only celebrates Yorkshire’s role in Grand Départ history but also showcases the county’s brewing heritage and excellence.
“We hope the beer is a welcome addition to fans’ Tour celebrations and that it makes a great souvenir of Ilkley’s involvement in the world’s greatest cycle race.”
Shawn Dixon, assistant manager at Booths in Ilkley, added: “We’ve been long-time supporters of Ilkley Brewery: its core beers, including Joshua Jane and Mary Jane, sell consistently well so we’re looking forward to seeing customers’ response to this special edition Tour de France brew.
“The three label designs are quirky and fun and I think, having sampled Marie Jaune myself, the beer will get people’s Grand Départ parties off to a flying start.”
Marie Jaune retails at £1.99 per 500ml bottle in Booths and at £3.20 per 500ml bottle in Harvey Nichols.
To find out more about Ilkley Brewery, visit: www.ilkleybrewery.co.uk or follow Ilkley Brewery on Twitter @Ilkleybrewery and Facebook www.facebook.com/ilkley.
ENDS
Image attached:
- Marie Jaune will take to the Booths podium on 18 June. Left to right: Shawn Dixon, assistant manager, Booths Ilkley; Luke Raven, sales manager, Ilkley Brewery and Jan Osinski, wines and spirits supervisor, Booths Ilkley.
- Yellow, green and polka bottle labels ready for Booths and Harvey Nichols.
Media contact:
For all Ilkley Brewery media enquiries, please contact Katy Barraclough, Conway PR, on 07813 094945 / 01943 430257 or email katy@conwaypr.co.uk
Notes to editors:
The Ilkley Brewery Co. Ltd. was founded in January 2009 and commenced brewing in May 2009. The now famous Mary Jane, the brewery’s flagship session beer was first brewed in August 2009 and won its first award in September of the same year.
In January 2011, Ilkley Brewery secured a debt and equity package from Glentrool Capital Partners LLP, who also provide corporate support to help grow the company. This enabled Ilkley Brewery to move from its premises on East Parade to a new 2,600 square foot brewery on Ashlands Road, Ilkley. A new 20 barrel brewing plant was installed allowing the brewery to initially produce 23,000 pints a week.
In October 2011, a 30 barrel fermenter was acquired, taking production to over 32,000 pints a week. By March 2012, production capacity had increased to 40,000 pints a week and in 2014, with the addition of further cask filling equipment, the brewery produces 50,000 pints a week.
In January 2012, Ilkley Brewery was crowned one of Yorkshire’s most promising companies in the Government-backed Local Business Accelerators campaign, going onto win the national prize in August 2012 for being one of the country’s fastest growing and successful businesses.
April 2012 saw the launch of the Origins range, showcasing the best in beer styles and brewing techniques from around the world. Medina and Siberia were the first collaboration brews with renowned beer writers, Melissa Cole and Pete Brownn, respectively. The Chief, Dinner Ale, Wit Marie, Green Goddess and Holy Cow have since followed to much critical acclaim.
As of August 2012, bottles of Mary Jane, Joshua Jane, Ilkley Black and Ilkley Pale are available in Morrisons, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Booths supermarkets across the north of England, as well as many restaurants nationally.
At the SIBA 2013 awards, the brewery was was awarded gold for Ilkley Black, The Chief and Dinner Ale and bronze for Holy Cow. At the Guild of Fine Food Great Taste Awards 2013, Joshua Jane scooped two gold stars.
The brewery now exports its beers to America, Scandinavia and China.
In May 2014, the brewery celebrated its fifth anniversary and marked its 1000th brew by creating a beer called Mash Tonne.