Jersey beer's most famous figure is coming out of retirement to bring back the Island's best known brand - Mary Ann. The move is one of the first decisions to be made by the Liberation Group, which owns the Channel Island's largest pub chain and Jersey Brewery.
The media are invited to the Cock & Bottle in the Royal Square at 12 noon on Monday 3 November for the relaunch of Mary Ann.
The Liberation Group's Chief Executive, Mark Crowther, said: "We see this as a significant decision to relaunch a brand which is synonymous with the Island's strong brewing heritage. Almost everyone in Jersey has heard of Mary Ann; and we feel using the name again will reflect the fact we produce a quality, local product using Jersey skills and expertise which benefits local people and visitors to the Island."
New-look branding will replace the traditional wheat sheaf imagery and for the first time in many years the beer will also be available in bottles as well as draught.
A recent survey found the Mary Ann brand is as well-known as other leading Island products such as the Jersey cow and Jersey Royal. Ninety-nine per cent of people taking part in a sample survey recognised the brand, despite the name being replaced by Jersey Special and Jersey Best six years ago.
Head brewer at Jersey Brewery Paul Hurley said: "Although the name was dropped to give a more 'modern' image Mary Ann has never faded from the public's imagination. Mary Ann is part of the fabric of Jersey and you can still see signs outside pubs today which reflect its importance to the Island's history. When you have a brand which is so successful, sometimes you have to ask why the need for change?"
Paul Hurley will be in charge of the production at the Jersey Brewery site at Longueville.
The return of the Mary Ann name also signals a change in drinking patterns and consumer choice. The brewery, which is a member of the Genuine Jersey Products Association, says it has noticed a rise in consumers choosing products which are produced locally and benefit local people.
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