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Press Release

Beer in honour of garden’s work

28 June, 2004

SOMETHING unusual is brewing at Kew’s country garden in West Sussex. A special beer is being launched in honour of the conservation work at Wakehurst Place, near Ardingly.

The off-shoot of Kew Gardens teamed up with top independent brewers Young’s to create the special ale. Sales will help Kew’s conservation work as a donation per bottle is given to the Gardens which runs the international Millennium Seed Bank Project.

The beer is called Kew Brew and uses hops grown at Kew last year. Thousands of bottles the special brew have been produced and are going on sale through Waitrose supermarkets across the region.

The beer is also on sale in The Stables restaurant at Wakehurst Place where customers will be able to enjoy the tipple with their lunch.

Ken Don, Young’s head brewer, says, “We harvested the hops and dried them ready for brewing alongside commercially grown hops from Kent. The result is a pale brown, fruity and hoppy beer, packed full of flavour.”

Kew’s Director of Communications & Commercial Activities, Jill Preston, comments, “When Young’s agreed to sponsor the brewing display last year, we didn’t imagine the hops grown would end up in our own beer!”

Kew Brew joins a range of other recently launched Kew products including jams and chutneys.

“The partnership with Young’s is of great value to us, with the funds going towards maintaining horticultural excellence and our international science and conservation work including the seed bank project”, adds Preston.

Notes to Editors
Kew Brew is available in a 500ml bottle, alcohol 5% Vol.
Young’s brewery owns 208 pubs in London and the South of England.
The company has been based at the 400 year old Ram Brewery in Wandsworth since 1831.
Shire horses still make daily deliveries of beer from the Ram Brewery to local pubs.

Further Information (media enquiries only) Trevor Butler, Wakehurst Place press office 01444 894018 or
Michael Hardman, Young’s Press Office Tel 01483 542 952.

PHOTO CALL – 11.30 Tuesday 29th June, 2004 at The Stables restaurant, Wakehurst Place: B2028 north of Ardingly.

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