While Queen and country rejoice in the Diamond Jubilee this summer, Marston’s will be celebrating its own 60th anniversary with the launch of a birthday bottle for its flagship brand, Marston’s Pedigree.
On sale from April, the Marston’s Pedigree ‘Retro’ bottle will feature the original 1952 label with an exclusive offer to own one of a number of limited edition Marston’s Pedigree pint glasses.
Marston’s had been brewing their famous pale ale using the Burton Union method since 1834, but in 1952 Head Brewer, George Peard decided to create a name for his best loved ale and ran a competition to find the best one. Marjorie Newbold from the typing pool, came up with the winning name and so Marston’s Pedigree was born.
At the time, Sydney Evershed the chairman of Marston, Thompson and Evershed, announced: “We are now marketing our best pale ale under the name Pedigree Pale Ale, because it is descended from a long line of famous brews and is really a thoroughbred.”
T oday’s Head Brewer, Emma Gilleland commented: “The Burton Union method of fermenting cask beer is a way of propagating the particular strain of yeast that we use in Pedigree. The yeast grown in each brew is then collected and pitched back into the next one thus perpetuating Pedigree’s unique pedigree. It will be a treat for fans of Pedigree and cask beer to see these bottles on sale – they will be a fitting toast for the Diamond Jubilee.”
Emma was appointed by Marston’s in 2007, the tenth person and first woman to take the role in the company’s 178 year history. She is a biomedical technology graduate and the custodian of the secret recipes that give Marston’s beers their distinctive flavour.
Emma added: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be Marston’s Head Brewer. Although beer is traditionally a man’s world, making sure our ales go out in top condition is my absolute passion. It would have been unthinkable to have a woman as head brewer in 1952 as Queen Elizabeth was just ascending the throne. Marston’s Pedigree still tastes as good today as it has always has but at least some things have changed for the better!”
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For more information contact Lisa Harlow on 07917 757860
Lisa Harlow
Mob: 07917 757860
Tel: 01283 820776
Email: lisa@lisaharlow.co.uk