As the Grand Départ draws ever closer, Ilkley Brewery is setting its wheels in motion for the world’s greatest cycle race by commissioning its very own yellow cycling jerseys.
The jerseys, made by Ilkley-based cycling jersey manufacturer, Spirit Cycling, display the Ilkley Brewery brand and serve to commemorate the start of the 2014 Tour de France which will fly through Yorkshire this July.
Richard Shelton, director at Ilkley Brewery, said: “Both Chris and I are lifelong cycling fans, as well as members of Ilkley Cycling Club, so the arrival of the Grand Départ in Yorkshire this summer is something we are looking forward to with great anticipation.
“We wanted to kick off the Grand Départ build-up with the release of our very own cycling jerseys to show our support for this global event which will race through Ilkley, and within metres of the brewery, this summer.
“The jerseys are the first of many Tour celebrations we have planned. Over the coming weeks, we will announce further involvement in local events and reveal how the thousands of Grand Départ spectators, destined for the Wharfe Valley, can enjoy world class cycling with award-winning Yorkshire ale.”
The jerseys, which come in a range of sizes for men and women, are available to buy direct from the Ilkley Brewery website – www.ilkleybrewery.co.uk/shop – and are priced at £49.50.
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
Images attached:
– Ilkley Brewery’s sales director, Richard Shelton (left), and managing director, Chris Ives, both keen road cyclists, kick start the Grand Départ build-up in their specially commissioned yellow jerseys.
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.
A string of awards has followed with most of the beers now brewed by the brewery winning medals at beer competitions up and down the country.
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 new 30 barrel fermenter was acquired, taking production to over 32,000 pints a week. In March 2012, production capacity expanded again to close to 40,000 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. Medina and Siberia were the first collaboration brews with renowned beer writers, and The Chief, Victorian Pale Dinner Ale, Wit Marie, Green Goddess, and Holy Cow have since followed to much critical acclaim.
As of August 2012, bottles of Mary Jane, Ilkley Best, 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.
Additional SIBA medals for Ilkley Black and Lotus IPA were awarded in October 2012 (Bronze and Silver respectively).
November 2012 saw the first export sales to leave the UK.
In June 2013 the brewery won the London Craft Beer Battle with its new creation MaryJane IPA.