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Demand Outstrips Supply as Arkell's Jubilee Ale Sells Out
As pubs from as far afield as Derbyshire ordered Arkell's Jubilee Ale, the Swindon-based brewery has announced that its special beer, brewed especially for the Queen's Golden Jubilee, has sold out.
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Even the special commemorative packs of Jubilee Ale, containing two pints of ale and a specially-engraved beer glass, have all been sold.
"I had a lot of telephone calls congratulating us on the beer and saying it's light, summery taste was a perfect match for the celebrations," said James.
Head brewer, Don Bracher, developed the unique taste of Jubilee Ale. It was a golden coloured beer, specially brewed with the finest Scottish and English Malts; using two varieties of Golding hops in the copper and third variety in the hop back, giving a balanced malty hoppy flavour and a satisfying after taste.
With its tight brewing schedule, Arkell's don't currently have plans to brew more Jubilee Ale, as its Summer Ale is in the fermenting vessels in time for Mid Summers day next week.
"Our Jubilee Ale celebrated a glorious moment in time," said James. "And like other commemorative beers we've brewed, such as Steam Beer for the new Swindon museum, or the Queen Mother's 100th birthday, it was a beer for a memorable event."
Arkells pubs prepare for the Jubilee...
Jubilee party planning for the forthcoming special bank-holiday weekend is well under way at a number of Arkell's pubs, and judging by the events, fun and games on offer they are not to be missed.
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"They will be no where better to celebrate the Jubilee than at an Arkell's pub - unless, of course, you've got an invite to Buckingham Palace!" he added.
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Full details of Arkell's pub celebrations.... |
MP toasts cut in Beer prices with Brewery...
Swindon MP, Michael Wills, made a flying visit to Arkell's Brewery on Saturday to celebrate the reduction of Arkell's Brewery's own brews by 5p per pint on 1st June, in response to the Chancellor's budget
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"The Chancellor's tax cut on beer was on a sliding scale, based on production, with micro brewers receiving the full benefit."
As we brew under 30,000 hectolitres a year we are eligible for some of the cut in Duty, but only the much smaller microbreweries will be able to claim the full 14p tax reduction.
We are sorry we weren't eligible for the full 14p reduction and that the threshold wasn't 200,000 hectolitres."
Arkell's price reduction, which will cover all its own brewed beers, will take effect from 1st June across all Arkell's 101 pubs in Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and parts of Berkshire, just in time for the Golden Jubilee celebrations and the start of The World Cup.
"We are very happy to pass the price reduction directly on to all our customers and hope that they will celebrate the fortunes of the England Football Team in style with a pint of Arkell's real ale," said James Arkell.
STOP PRESS:
Landlord Matches Brewery Beer Price Cut
As Arkell's Brewery cuts the price of a pint of beer by 5p as a result of this year's Budget, the Landlord at The Rose and Crown, Lea near Malmesbury is planning to be the toast of the village by adding another 5p price cut of his own.
Landlord John People plans to double the price cut to 10p off a pint of Arkell's beer immediately in time for the Jubilee and World Cup Weekend.
"We're prepared to cut our profit margins to give our customers extra beer for their money," he says.
"When the Chancellor delivered his headline message that he would cut 14p off a pint of beer, it only became clear afterwards that it was on a sliding scale, depending on the size of brewery," explains John.
"Arkell's Brewery has passed on the full reduction in duty based on its annual production, and we are planning to match that as a gesture of goodwill to our customers."
"With the Jubilee celebrations and the World Cup football ahead we're looking forward to a busy and enjoyable few weeks and want to share it with our customers," says John.
"And giving our customers more beer for their money is a great way to kick start the Summer!"
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Lea's Rose & Crown website.... |
Golfer takes some R&R at The Bakers...
Following the withdrawal through injury from the Seve Trophy at Druids Glen last month, 26-year old David Howell has been taking some rest and relaxation at The Baker's at Badbury, near Swindon.
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"We've known David ever since he was a young lad, when he went to school with our boys Jason and Darren. They love their sport and the boys still play golf with him, although they don't win quite as often now," jokes landlord Andy.
Since Andy and his wife Wendy took over The Baker's, David has been quite a regular visitor, especially for the pub's Sunday Roasts.
But Andy is also well known in Swindon as he was previously an outdoor recreation assistant at Swindon Borough Council for eight years and spent many weekends working with local football teams as a qualified coach, before becoming a pub landlord - something he always wanted to do.
"We are really enjoying our new career behind the bar," said Andy. "And although we love seeing David here, we hope that he'll be back on the golf course very soon. He's a really terrific person as well as being a top class golfer. Perhaps we'd better dose him up with some more Arkell's 3Bs."
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More about David Howell incl. audio interview......... |
Jubilee Ale Launched...
As the UK prepares for the biggest Royal celebration for years, Arkell's Brewery in Swindon has produced its own unique tribute to The Queen for her Golden Jubilee Year.
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Managing director at Arkell's Brewery, James Arkell, said; "The first weekend in June promises to be a true celebration and we wanted to brew a beer that would make parties go with a swing and help celebrate the huge achievements of Queen Elizabeth the Second over fifty years."
He added: "With a host of events happening across the country, from village celebrations to street parties, we're celebrating Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee by brewing a beer that will taste the same as the celebration itself - Golden and memorable."
And with the beginning of the world Cup on the same weekend, beer drinkers can enjoy cheering England on with Jubilee Ale oiling their vocal chords!
But the Queen isn't the only one to be celebrating a special fifty years this year. Liz McGregor, landlady at Arkell's pub The Kingsdown, across the road from the brewery, is celebrating her fiftieth birthday.
"I had hoped to keep it quiet, as no lady really likes to trumpet her age," joked Liz. "But it's such a great year for the country that I don't mind sharing my special year with The Queen!"
In fact, Liz thinks that The Kingsdown, which she's been running for Arkell's for over ten years, could be representative of many communities across the United Kingdom.
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"It's a really busy open plan pub, with young and old drinking in harmony and very little trouble. We have music in the public bar, but respect the rights of some drinkers who prefer a quiet lounge bar.
"Everyone gets on with everyone else and whether my customers are 18 or 80, we take pleasure in each other's company."
Arkell's Jubilee Ale is available at all Arkell's pubs across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and parts of Berkshire from 13 May on draught or in bottles, as well as being available in 36 pint party pins from Arkell's Brewery.
Special jubilee gift boxes containing two bottles of Jubilee Ale and an embossed glass are also available from the brewery.
Jubilee Ale is a golden coloured beer, specially brewed with the finest Scottish and English Malts; using two varieties of Golding hops in the copper and third variety in the hop back, giving a balanced malty hoppy flavour and a satisfying after taste.
Hops: 1st Gold, Kent Goldings Styrian Goldings
Malts: Golden Promise and Marris Otter
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