A special brew in memory of naval hero (From The Northern Echo)

A special brew in memory of naval hero

8:31am Thursday 11th February 2010 in

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A BEER has been launched to mark the bicentenary of the death of a North-East naval hero.

Tyneside’s Wylam Brewery has produced the ale for the Collingwood 2010 Festival, a series of events marking the 200th anniversary of the death of Newcastle-born Admiral Lord Cuthbert Collingwood.

Collingwood was Nelson’s right-hand man in the Peninsular War with the Spanish and French fleets. He took control following Nelson’s death to see the British fleet to victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.

The 4.1-per cent beer, Festival Ale, has already met with a favourable response from North-East real ale drinkers.

Brewery managing director John Boyle said: “It’s going down very well indeed. In fact, demand was so strong that we sold most of the first 3,200-litre batch in a couple of days.”

Captain Stephen Healy, chairman of the Collingwood 2010 Festival Committee, said: “It’s a superb beer to help us celebrate the life and achievements of one of our greatest heroes.”

It will be the tipple of choice at a festival civic dinner hosted by Newcastle’s Lord Mayor, councillor Mike Cookson, on Saturday, March 6.