The House of Parliament raises a glass to Wylam Brewery and the North East's Red Kites
20/03/2008
Wylam Brewery’s Northern Kite, the ruby ale launched to celebrate the return of the magnificent red kite to the region, has just became the beer that refreshes the Parliamentarians that most beers cannot reach.
From 17th March, the red kite inspired beer, will be pulled in that most exclusive of Social Clubs, the Palace of Westminster. Thanks to the support of Member of Parliament for Blaydon, Dave Anderson MP, in whose Blaydon Constituency the red kites of the Northern Kite Project were originally released, the beer will be pouring down in Parliament over the next few weeks.
John Boyle, Director, Wylam Brewery’s said, “Since its launch in November, Northern Kites has become one of our best selling brands and it is wonderful to think that it has registered so well on both the palate and the consciousness of the region that we have now been asked to make it available in the Houses of Parliament. It’s good for the brewery, great for the northeast and wonderful for the red kites that inspired the production of the beer.”
Dave Anderson MP said, "The brewery has produced a top quality product that, celebrates one of the northeast’s other great success stories, the Northern Kites Project. I am delighted, through this action, to be able to lend some small support to Wylam Brewery and to help to put their beer on to a wider stage. In the process, I am giving my colleagues in the House an opportunity to sample a little bit of what we are about in the northeast, great beer and wonderful red kites, both of them available in my Blaydon Constituency".
The MP has put down an Early Day Motion, that informs the House of Northern Kite’s availability and recommending that they sample it in an appropriately responsible fashion, whilst learning more about the region’s best known wildlife spectacle.
For further information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:
John Boyle, Director, Wylam Brewery Ltd on 01661 853377
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NOTE FOR EDITORS
About the Beer - Northern Kite (4.5 % ABV) a ruby ale, has been brewed to a traditional, ‘80 shilling’-style recipe. It has a strong malt character and rich ruby colouration, which should suit the northeast palette. It is inspired by the red kites’ rufus colouration is available in cask and bottle versions and it joins the company’s award winning range of real ales brewed at Heddon-on-the-Wall.
About the Company - Wylam Brewery Ltd (recent Northern Regional winners of the Tesco Drinks Award, 2008) was set up in an old farm dairy near Haddon on the Wall by retirees Robin Leighton (Brewing Director) and John Boyle (Managing Director) in 2000. Sadly, Robin died in April 2005. His three daughters have retained his interest in the company. John's son Matthew Boyle joined the company in July 2006. The first brew was casked in August 2000 and the brewery has grown steadily since then on its reputation for quality and flavour. It has won several awards at festivals around the UK and at the 25th Camra Newcastle Beer Festival; April 2001 the brewery was awarded Champion Beer for their Gold Tankard bitter.
Wylam Brewery Ltd, Registered in England No. 4069126
VAT Reg. No. GB 747 2193 21
South Houghton Farm
Heddon on the Wall
Northumberland
NE15 0EZ
Tel: 01661 853377
Fax: 01661 854635
Email: wylambrewery@talktalk.net
Northern Kites is the project that has returned red kites to northeast England, after an absence of over 170 years. It is a partnership between the lead partners Natural England and the RSPB, alongside Gateshead Council, Northumbrian Water, the National Trust and the Forestry Commission, with additional funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and SITA Trust. The Project is a world first in re-introducing kites into a semi-urban environment centred on Gateshead's Derwent Valley.