Licensed and Catering News

Local Brewery sells Viking beer to the Vikings

The Belfast Beer festival in the Ulster Hall 18 to 20 November is to see the launch of a new range of beers, themed around St Patrick, from the Strangford Lough Brewing Co. (SLBC). And if this range is anything like as successful as the company's previous venture, it is going to be the highlight of the festival.

In May SLBC sponsored the first annual Killyleagh Viking Boat Race in conjunction with the Down District Council 'Magnus Barelegs Festival'. The festival had been running for a number of years and despite much of it being held in Killyleagh's Delamont County Park it had been of very little direct benefit to the town.

However, this year was different. With SLBC launching its first range of beers themed around Magnus Barelegs, 'Barelegs Brew' and 'Legbiter' (named after Magnus' sword), the company decided that it would organise and sponsor the Viking Boat races in the town in order to launch the beer.

The races were a great success with teams from all over Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and the Isle of Man. There were a number of events and celebrations over the weekend and some 2000 visitors were attracted to the town over the three days.

In the final races the very worthy winners were the Galgael team from Govan near Glasgow, but they were pushed close by local Killyleagh team the 'Viking Gods'. The real winners however were Killyleagh and of course SLBC who sold over 1500 bottles at the launch of their Viking Beers.

It was such a success that as a result entries have already been received from a number of teams for the 2005 event on the May bank Holiday weekend, and SLBC is currently finalising a contract to supply 'Barelegs Brew' and 'Legbiter' to a major Norwegian Client.

Northern Ireland is selling Viking beer to the Vikings!

So keep an eye on the Belfast Beer Festival - you never know, Northern Ireland's beer fans may have a new local brew on their hands. St Patrick would be very proud!