Royal Wedding ale produced by St Albans microbrewery

Prince William and Kate Middleton’s big day is being marked by a local pub which has created a special ale dedicated to the couple.

A SPECIAL Royal Wedding ale has been created by a St Albans microbrewery ahead of the big day.

The Verulam Brewery, which is attached to the Farmer’s Boy pub in London Road, has created a limited edition ale called ‘Hoppy NuptiAle’ to commemorate Prince William and Kate Middleton’s forthcoming wedding.

Brewer Kevin Yelland began bottling up the 300 numbered bottles of the ale, which is a deep golden brew at 5.2 per cent alcohol strength, on Tuesday.

Four different malts have been used in the recipe to give the beer a slight roast malt flavour and its deep golden colour.

But landlady Ros Wilcox said the star of the beer was the New Zealand hop called Motueka which gives the ale a “delightful hop bouquet and an alluring hop flavour and lasting bitterness.”

She continued: “The use of a New Zealand hop variety was inspired by the visit of Prince William to New Zealand to meet those involved in the Christchurch earthquake and Pike River mine disaster. To this end, with every bottle of Hoppy NuptiAle sold, a donation will be made to the Royal Wedding Charity Fund which includes in the 26 charities it supports, the New Zealand Government’s earthquake appeal.”

The beer will be sold exclusively at the Farmer’s Boy at �5 per bottle, with 50 per cent of proceeds going to charity.