Beer spreads cheer for fund

The first beer to be brewed in Newark since 1986 has been delivered to the first pub to stock it.

Newark Pride has been brewed by Dan Derry and Will McKeon at their newly-established Newark Brewery Company at an old maltings on William Street.

The real-ale enthusiasts are delighted with their first endeavour, two barrels of which have gone to the Farndon Boathouse ahead of deliveries to other pubs in the Newark area.

Among the first people to sample Newark Pride — part of the profit from which goes to the Newark Patriotic Fund — will be staff from the Derry family business, Derry Ltd, at their Christmas party.

The first and second commercial runs of Newark Pride, around 100 casks, are now complete and, says Mr Derry, should be in pubs by Christmas.

Mr Derry is joint patron of the patriotic fund. His grandfather, the late Lieutenant-colonel Sam Derry, is Newark’s most decorated second world war hero.

Mr Derry said: “I’m pleased with the way Newark Pride has turned out, and I’ve drunk a fair bit of it.

“Those who have tried it so far say that it’s a nice pint and the take-up from the pubs proves that.

“People also like the fact that the money they pay for the pint partly goes to the patriotic fund and therefore directly benefits wounded Servicemen and women and their families in the Newark area — something my grandfather would have been very proud of.”

Mr Derry said that while Newark Pride, which has a town Civil War siege coin as its emblem, was the first beer to be brewed in Newark itself since the 1980s, the surrounding area had a constantly-growing reputation as a producer of real ales.

He said the town was becoming more of a destination for real-ale enthusiasts visiting its beer festival or award-winning pubs such as The Prince Rupert and Just Beer.

A Newark best bitter and a Newark pale ale are set to follow Newark Pride.

The last beer brewed in Newark in 1986 was at the Maple Leaf on Winthorpe Road.

John Smith’s and Courage closed their breweries in the mid-1980s.

l A cheque for £1,600 was presented to Newark Patriotic Fund by the captain of Newark Golf Club, Mr Dave Howson.

Mr Howson chose the fund as his charity for the year and presented money raised through activities at the club to the fund’s patron, the MP for Newark, Mr Patrick Mercer.

“It’s a cause that’s close to my heart,” said Mr Howson.