Weldon Brewery have launched a special beer to celebrate a ballistic missile travelling through the village in 1961. The American Thor missile was deployed in the United Kingdom during the Cold War between 1959 and September 1963 as an intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) with the nuclear warheads. This was in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis, when 60 similar missiles were deployed over 20 UK sites. Thor was 65 feet (20 m) in height and 8 feet (2.4 m) in diameter so it must have been quite a sight seeing it trundling through the village on its way to Harrington airfield where it was based.
Weldon Brewery pride themselves on producing beers that have a connection to local history, places and events and so Thor, made with American hops is a perfect addition to their range. Commenting on the beer David Fursdon, a local at the Shoulder of Mutton and a member of the Campaign For Real Ale Weldon said, “Weldon Brewery have made yet another sublime beer, we are so proud that they produce such an array of superb beers that tie into the proud history of the village”.Andrew Goodliffe another regular at the pub quipped that all the locals were going ballistic for the beer and that it was selling like bomb! All UK Thor Missiles were decommissioned by 1963 though the Harrington still listed status as a result of its connections to the period.
This nostalgic story is now brought up to date with this new brew from Weldon Brewery with many memories and conversations being retold.Any further comment can be had from Graham Moorhouse Head Brewer please email g.c.moorhouse@btinternet.com ……and finally I can confirm the beer is flying off the bar !