Raise a glass to Potteries Ale

A special brew has been produced that will see real ale enthusiasts raising their glass in celebration of the centenary of Stoke-on-Trent.

To commemorate 100 years of the federation of the six towns Stoke-on-Trent City Council teamed up with the local Titanic Brewery to create an anniversary beer.

Now the 'Potteries Centenary Ale,' has been produced and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will be among the first to sample the local brew when they visit the city tomorrow (Friday 19 February).

The Centenary Ale is a 4.8% full bodied, honey blonde beer with citrus notes and a clean hoppy finish and is going to be available in bottle and on draught throughout the city.

Councillor Ross Irving, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "We wanted to produce a commemorative beer as part of our 2010 celebrations and we were delighted to work with the Titanic Brewery, a local company, to achieve this aim.

"The Potteries Centenary Ale will be enjoyed by people throughout the city and our Royal visitors will have the opportunity to sample it when they come to the city tomorrow. I am looking forward to tasting it myself."

Titanic Brewery Director Keith Bott said: "We are thrilled to be chosen to help to celebrate the centenary of our brewery's home city. Titanic Brewery is proud to be a part of Stoke-on-Trent and our bottled range carries the words Shipped from the Potteries.

"Interestingly, Prince Charles is a great supporter of the role community style pubs play in society so we have a common cause."

The Prince of Wales will be handed a special presentation pack of Potteries Centenary Ale during a civic reception on Friday. (19 February).

Titanic Brewery was founded in Burslem in 1985 and has grown to produce more than two million pints of fine ale every year. It is owned by Stafford born brothers Keith and Dave Bott. Keith is President of SIBA, the society of independent brewers. The brewery’s name is in recognition of Stoke-on-Trent as the birthplace of Captain Edward Smith, Master of the ill fated Titanic ocean liner.

The brewery has a fleet of four pubs: The Bulls Head in Burslem, The Greyhound in Newcastle-under-Lyme, The Royal Exchange in Stone and The White Star in Stoke.

The ale will be available in licensed civic buildings and Titanic pubs from Monday 22 February with 10p donated to the Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent's charity for every bottle or pint sold.