Brontë beer

There are all sorts of Brontë things. The Telegraph & Argus has an article on something Branwell would have loved: Brontë Beer!

New beer honours Bronte connection to Nelson
By Clive White

Meanwhile, a beer maker has been inspired to name his latest brew after a hero of the high seas - and a man who fathered the greatest English literary family.

Brewer Ian Cowling's latest special concoction, called Duke of Bronte ale, has links to Admiral Lord Nelson and the Rev Patrick Bronte, whose daughters were Charlotte, Emily and Anne.

And at a stonking 12.5 percent, it is one of the strongest ales on the market.

Mr Cowling, who runs Old Bear Brewery in Keighley, also believes it would have found a fan in the Bronte sister's brother Branwell.

"He was fond of a drink, I think everybody knows that," said Mr Cowling, who was commissioned to brew the 36 gallons for a beer and music festival in Derby.

His inspiration has come from his admiration for Lord Nelson and the sailor's indirect connection with the Brontes of Haworth.

Nelson was given the title Duke of Bronte by the King of Naples as a thank you for helping restore him to the throne in 1799.

"Patrick Bronte, or Brunty as he was originally called, was a huge fan of Nelson," said Mr Cowling, who runs the brewery in Pitt Street.

"So when Patrick arrived in England from his native Ireland in the early 1800s, he opted to change his surname to Bronte in honour of him.

"We wanted a name that on the one hand would have a good Yorkshire connection, but on the other would be relevant to other parts of the country and the Duke of Bronte fitted the bill."

The brew will also get an outing at the Leeds Beer Festival in Pudsey this weekend.

We have been unable to track the label of this new beer yet The pump is now published thanks to Richard Hamer, who kindly send it to us. However, there must be a Brontëite or two at the Old Bear Brewery. They have both Cathy and Heathcliff beers, as you can see.

Categories: In the News, Weirdo, Wuthering Heights