DAMBUSTERS: Toast the raid with Batemans’ anniversary ale

Want to toast the bravery and success of the Dambusters? Well, now you will be able to with a special ale to mark the 70th anniversary.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th May 2013, 12:41 BST
Stuart Bateman pours a glass of his brewery's Vintage Ale. Photo: BatemansStuart Bateman pours a glass of his brewery's Vintage Ale. Photo: Batemans
Stuart Bateman pours a glass of his brewery's Vintage Ale. Photo: Batemans

Wainfleet’s Batemans Brewery will release its very own tipple, to be named 617 Anniversary Ale, in time for this year’s 70th anniversary of Operation Chastise.

The 3.9% copper-coloured bitter aims to take the drinker back to the type of ale members of 617 Squadron would sip before heading off on a mission.

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Nathan Wride, national account manager for Batemans, explained: “We hope it will invoke the image of a 1940s and a guy standing out on the airfield prior to Operation Chastise.

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Batemans BreweryBatemans Brewery
Batemans Brewery

“It wasn’t uncommon to have a pint before going out on a mission for these men.It was a time before blond beers were popular and we believe a chestnut ale is more fitting.”

Batemans look set to launch a cask version of the beer available for this month’s 70-year anniversary, while a bottled version will be available later this summer.

The brewery have announced that 10p of every pint or bottle sold will go to Leonard Cheshire Disability.

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The charity was founded by Group Captain Geoffrey Leonard Cheshire, a highly-decorated Second World War pilot who received the Victoria Cross and was a commander with 617 Squadron.

It is planned that the new bitter will be available for a limited 12-month period.

However, Mr Wride hopes its popularity could see it become a summertime favourite.

He added: “The fantasist in me hopes this can be a drink that could come back for a limited period each summer.”