Turning Japanese
Marston's, the brewers of the official beer of English cricket, has teamed up with J D Wetherspoon, to help to create a truly cosmopolitan offering at this year's World Beer Festival.
To add an eastern twist, Marston's head brewer Emma Gilleland is working closely with Japanese brewer Toshi Ishii (from the iconic Japan-based Yo-Ho Brewing Company) to create a uniquely Asian brew - in Burton upon Trent.
The result? Tokyo Black is an exclusive, dusky Japanese ale, freshly brewed using traditional Japanese craftsmanship, with a distinctly different flavour.
Emma said: "Tokyo Black is a Japanese cask ale which cannot be transported to the UK because its distinct flavours would not survive the journey.
"Toshi has travelled to the UK; together, we are brewing some of his delicious ale, so that everyone at the Wetherspoon festival can sample this exclusive beer. Toshi wanted to make sure that his brew was in a safe pair of hands."
Marston's will also be producing some of its own beers, exclusively for the festival.
Pedigree Six, an already-famous bottled beer (produced to coincide with England's big summer of cricket) has been made into a cask ale, available only at Wetherspoon. This unique ale has been brewed with a 6% ABV - so please drink within your boundaries.
Another great Marston's ale to seek is the fresh-tasting Sun Bright guest ale. With a 3.8% ABV, this nutty-flavoured Burton ale is very, very drinkable. It's a strike-out for Marston's brews!
JENNINGS
Back for a unique third festival in a row is bestseller Sneck Lifter from Jennings - the Cumbrian brewery. This dark, tasty brew is a firm favourite at Wetherspoon, with its perfectly balanced, surprisingly light flavour (5.1% ABV) - it always goes down well, tried and tested.
RINGWOOD
Ringwood's anniversary ale - Ringwood Seventy Eight - marks the thirtieth birthday of this southern-based brewery. This golden refreshing beer has a malty and deliciously hoppy taste, at 4.2% ABV. Available during the beer festival.
The Competition
Win a pair of tickets to England v South Africa test match at Edgbaston this August.
Cricket and beer - a match made in heaven
Marston's, the maker of the official beer of the England cricket team, has two pairs of tickets up for grabs to watch some glorious test match action.
The national brewing company behind brands like Marston's Pedigree and Marston's Smooth will be providing some necessary match-play refreshment between wickets this summer, while you relax and watch the action.
All you have to do to win great seats to watch England thrash South Africa at Edgbaston in August (no, we are not compromising on this one) is to simply answer the following question, complete your details and click on Submit below. Closing date for entries: 30/5/08
Terms and conditions:Competitions open to all UK residents over the age of 18, excluding employees of the promoter, their respective families and agents or anyone directly connected with these competitions. Acceptance of the rules is a condition of entry. No purchase necessary. Entries must be received no later than 30/5/08, except for the Fetzer competition, where entries must be received no later than 1/5/08. Proof of dispatch is not proof of receipt. The winner will be the first correctly answered entry drawn. Where multiple prizes are offered, the winners will be the first relevant number of correct entries drawn. Where the prize requires travelling to or from a venue, transport costs and incidental expenses will be the responsibility of the prize-winner(s), except when detailed otherwise in the prize description. The judge’s decision is final; no correspondence will be entered into. One entry per household. The winner/winners will be notified by post. No cash alternative available. The prize(s) will be delivered to one UK address (where the prize(s) are goods for delivery). The promoter reserves the right to cancel or amend this promotion, owing to events arising beyond its control. The promoter is not responsible for any third-party acts or omissions. Promoter: J D Wetherspoon plc, Wetherspoon House, Reeds Crescent, Central Park, Watford, WD24 4QL
