WINDSOR, England (Reuters Life!) - Beer-lovers looking to celebrate Britain's royal wedding with a pint or two will be able to indulge in a brew created for the occasion in the shadow of one of the royal family's most famous residences.
The newly established Windsor and Eton Brewery is taking advantage of the town's royal connections to produce "Windsor Knot," a beer dedicated to Prince William and his fiancee Kate Middleton who will marry on April 29th.
Windsor was once a traditional brewing town, and a hundred years ago there were at least half a dozen breweries making beer to be shipped to London and elsewhere. However, the last brewery stopped production around 1931 and the tradition died out until Windsor and Eton launched last year.
Master brewer Paddy Johnson told Reuters that he wanted to produce an ale which would have broad appeal and be suited to the barbecues and street parties across the nation on the day.
"So we tried to design a beer that's light in flavor and color, so that it will appeal to a lot of people, but has also got a very memorable flavor to it," he said.
Windsor Knot is an ale made with a combination of hops from England and New Zealand, which the brewery said represents the far ends of the Commonwealth.
There will be a plethora of other beers, ales, stouts and bitters produced for the royal wedding, which brewers hope will help showcase what is a very English refreshment.
Brewer Adnams Southwold is making a Royal Wedding Ale and Greene King has created a Celebration Ale to name just two.
"We hope that Britain's national drink, real ale, will be on offer at the royal wedding reception," Greene King Brewing & Brands Managing Director Euan Venters told Reuters, adding that the brewer was prepared to supply Buckingham Palace with its best beer, if needed for the great event.
Windsor and Eton Director Will Calvert, said Windsor Knot has the kind of enviable royal credentials that should make it a top tipple for royal wedding revelers.
"Windsor is the home of William's family, Eton is where he went to school, and so a beer coming from Royal Windsor is the most authentic royal wedding beer you can have," he said.
The towns of Windsor and Eton lie on opposite banks of the river Thames, adjoined by Windsor Bridge.
Prince William and his brother Harry attended Eton College, an exclusive school for boys, while Windsor Castle has been one of the official residences of the British royal family for hundreds of years.
Windsor Knot is only available in bottles at the moment, but with cask deliveries to pubs expected this week, it should be available on tap from April 1st.
The brewery says Windsor Knot will be available for April and May, but if there is enough demand, it will consider continuing production until Britain's next royal wedding.
William's cousin Zara will marry England rugby captain Mike Tindall on July 30.