Davenports, the Birmingham Brewing and pub company, has raised a glass of its Gold Ale in the heart of Parliament.
Pictured in the Strangers Bar are: Paran Sandhu, head brewer, Davenports; Baron Wayne Davenport; John Spellar MP; Mike Woods, chair, All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group; and Cen Hayward, sales director, Davenports
Local MP the Rt Hon John Spellar chose it as the week’s guest ale in the Strangers’ Bar, sited inside the House of Commons.
The beer, a light golden, modern English cask ale with a white creamy head, is 3.9% ABV and described as refreshing with a hoppy, grapefruit aroma, leading to a balanced and citrusy finish.
The Gold Ale was enjoyed by the many MPs and other Parliamentarians for whom the Strangers’ Bar is effectively their ‘local’. Invited guests included local dignitaries, industry representatives from CAMRA and SIBA, as well as Davenports staff. Paran Sandhu, head brewer at Davenports, also made the journey to London.
Mr Spellar said: “It has been a pleasure to bring this fine beer from my constituency to Westminster and introduce my colleagues in Westminster to a taste of Davenports Brewery. The company was established in 1829, and over the years has helped shape the culture not just of the brewing industry, but also of Birmingham itself.
“Davenports Brewery is a real asset to our constituency, brewing wonderful craft beers, providing jobs for local people — not just within the brewing company, but in their network of pubs that are at the heart of our communities.”
Pioneering technology — and recycling
Baron Wayne Davenport, managing director of the brewery, added: “We were delighted that Gold Ale was selected for the Strangers’ Bar and grateful to the Rt Hon John Spellar, and the team at the bar, for making it happen. We’re very
proud of our beers and this was a great opportunity to spread the word about them beyond our usual area of trading.
“We’d love to think that a pint of Gold Ale may have inspired some of our politicians to dream up ground-breaking new policies, but we are nonetheless delighted that so many MPs enjoyed drinking it.”
Gold Ale was made available in the Strangers’ Bar as part of a scheme run by the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group and the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA), to which Davenports Brewery belongs.
Mr Davenport added: “Since 1829, Davenports has been pioneering — not just within the brewing industry, but pioneering technology, recycling — recycling 12,000 bottles per hour in the 1930s and continues today to be an active supporter of the communities we serve via our pubs. It is such an honour to have our brand present in such a prestigious venue.”
