March 2007

The Westerham Brewery is pleased to announce the launch of one of the few Fairtrade bottled beers available. Following the huge success of the draught beer launched in February for Fairtrade Fortnight, the brewery has decided to release the beer in bottle-conditioned form. The bottled version has an ABV of 4.8%.

“We have been overwhelmed by the response to our draught version of this beer. Since February 19th we have produced over 10,000 pints of the beer for our pubs in Kent, Surrey and Sussex” said Robert Wicks, founder and owner of the Westerham Brewery. “Such has been the demand for a bottled version that we pulled out all the stops to get the beer ready for the 200th anniversary next week. Without the help of our label designers, OPM Labels, and our bottlers, Thames Distillers, none of this would have been possible.”

Traditionally floor-malted Maris Otter pale ale malt, crystal malt and Kentish hops combine with Fairtrade Demerara sugar to produce deep gold ale, characterised by its mellow bitterness and long hoppy finish.

The beer commemorates the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade. On 25th March 1807, the British Parliament voted in favour of the abolition of the slave trade. This act of legislation was one of the most humanitarian pieces of legislation ever enacted in parliament; slaves could no longer be traded in British ships. BBC Radio Kent Interview March 2007