Davenports Brewery are celebrating the 80th anniversary of VE Day by rolling back the price of a pint of Drum Bitter to £1.50 across their estate.
The brewery have also produced a special box of Davenports ales, available to purchase via its Beer at Home service. And they have created a limited-edition postcard using the front cover of their February 1943 issue of the Malts and Hops magazine, which featured Sir Winston Churchill. It will be signed by the current Baron W R Davenport and sent out with each celebratory box purchased.
“The leading brewery of the time, during the war, Davenports turned its focus from ales to assisting the war effort, which meant ales were in short supply,” explained associate marketing director Katie McPhilimey.
“Davenports’ support of the country’s efforts was reflected on the cover of the Malts and Hops internal magazine, which proudly carried a picture of Sir Winston Churchill.
“Davenports were hailed in the national press and the Birmingham Daily Gazette as being ‘very technically advanced’ during the 30s and 40s. The company boasted ‘the very latest appliances that science and mechanics have evolved’ and turned out 120,000 bottles of beer every day!
“The company also boasted a strong workforce that included many women, who took on even greater responsibility during the war whilst so many men were called to action.”
Katie added: “Whilst Davenports switched the company’s capabilities to the war efforts without hesitation — despite times being tough — the then Baron Davenport continued his investment in technology throughout the war, to ensure that when it was over the company was ready to resume full production and fulfill demand once again.”
