A Fitting Toast 

Arkell's launch Old Contemptible ale to mark Great War Anniversary - WATCH VIDEO

 

Old Contemptible launched by Arkell's Brewery

As part of the 100th Anniversary of World War 1, Arkell's Brewery in Swindon today launched a brand new commemorative beer for the Royal British Legion.

 

Named "Old Contemptible", the beer uses an old Arkell's recipe using British ingredients and would have been the kind of traditional beer appreciated by soldiers in 1914.

 

The pump clip features a picture of the late Sir Noel Arkell and Graham Arkell who took part in The Great War as part of the 4th Wiltshire Yeomanry.

 

£10.00 per cask sold donated to the Poppy appeal

 

The name 'Old Contemptibles' was self-adopted by British troops belonging to the regular army in 1914, and was supposedly derived from a comment made by the German Kaiser Willhelm II, who upon hearing that German forces were being held up in France en route to the French capital is said to have exclaimed his exasperation of "Sir John French's contemptible little army".

 

WATCH VIDEO: Arkell's Brewery Launch Old Contemptible Beer

 

 

Speaking shortly ahead of the launch, Head Brewer Alex Arkell commented "At 4.0% this is considered strong for a mild, however having looked through our records and doing some research we noticed that before WW1 our mild was stronger. Then the government wanted people to drink less because of their work in the munitions factories so they forced breweries to reduce the alcohol!"
 

 

The Swindon Festival of Remembrance

Sunday 02 November

 

The WW1 commemorations continue in November with The Royal British Legion's annual Festival of Remembrance concert at The Wyvern Theatre, taking place on Sunday 02 November.

 

Featuring the Military Wives Choir and the Wessex Male Choir, tickets are available now, priced at £10.00 and available to book via the Wyvern Theatre website link below.