Blooming Marvellous: Brakspear brews new ale to support Henley in Bloom

May 28, 2014

Pub operator and brewer Brakspear has brewed a new ale, Blooming Marvellous, to support Henley’s ‘Going for Gold’ campaign to win a gold medal in this year’s Britain in Bloom awards.

Twenty pence from every pint of Blooming Marvellous sold will be donated to the Going for Gold campaign and used to fund floral displays throughout Henley.  The beer is a 4.3% golden ale with floral aromas, brewed at Brakspear’s Bell Street Brewery, at the Bull on Bell Street, and will be sold at nine pubs in Henley throughout June.

Blooming Marvellous was created with input from Marisa Francini, Henley in Bloom co-ordinator and a CAMRA member. She said, “Henley in Bloom is partly about recognising historical significance, and the town has a proud brewing heritage which was revived when the Brakspear microbrewery opened last year.

“So I had the idea of brewing a local beer that helps our Britain in Bloom ambitions and Brakspear have created this marvellous golden ale that I’m sure will sell well during June.”

Emma Sweet, Brakspear marketing manager, said, “We’re delighted to be supporting Henley in Bloom’s campaign for a gold medal. Several of our pubs have wonderful gardens and outdoor spaces that contribute to the appearance of the town, and now we can also help through the sales of Blooming Marvellous.”

Brakspear is planning to brew 28 firkins of Blooming Marvellous and the Bell Street Brewery has the flexibility to produce more if needed to meet demand. The pubs selling the beer are:  the Angel on the Bridge, the Little Angel, the Three Horseshoes, the Saracen’s Head, the Old Bell, the Bull on Bell Street, the Three Tuns, the Anchor and the Row Barge.

Sophie Kilgour, general manager of The Bull, said: “We are really proud to be helping out the local community. Blooming Marvellous is a perfect beer for the summer and should be a big success.”

Mark Dunlop, landlord of the Angel of the Bridge, said: “It’s great that Brakspear and all the local pub tenants get involved because it helps raise the profile of Henley in Bloom in trying to win the gold award.”

Going for Gold is Henley in Bloom’s campaign to achieve a gold medal in the Britain in Bloom competition this year.  Last year, Henley fell just two points short of gold and was ranked fourth out of nine finalists, scoring 168 points out of a possible 200.

Caption to photo: Emma Sweet (left), Brakspear marketing manager and Marisa Francini of Henley in Bloom