Liberation Brewery marks its 140th anniversary with a party

Jersey’s Weighbridge Square will come alive with a special celebration this weekend as Liberation Brewery marks its 140th anniversary with a party to remember.

Cooking demonstrations, live music, entertainment for all the family and a craft fair showcasing the very best of Jersey produce will all take place in Jersey’s Weighbridge Square.

The party will be held on Saturday 8th October to coincide with the finale of Cask Ale Week and is being organised to acknowledge the history of brewing in Jersey. Liberation Group, which owns Liberation Brewery at Longueville, has maintained a tradition of producing fine award-winning ales that began in 1871. The group acquired Ann Street brewery along with 65 pubs and Victor Hugo & Bucktrouts drinks businesses in 2008 and revived the Mary Ann name that had become synonymous with Channel Island beer. Since then Liberation Brewery has continued to develop and introduce new beers including Liberation Ale and its seasonal ales: Ambree, Blonde, Noire and Rouge. For the 140th Anniversary the brewery has produced an unique commemoration ale in a presentation bottle.

With only 2011 bottles produced of this premium ale, it is bound to become a sought after item for collectors and beer connoisseurs.

Chief Executive Mark Crowther says: "We are extremely proud of the heritage we are now custodians of. Jersey has a tradition of producing fine quality ales and the Mary Ann name still plays an important role in our range of products. We have taken that heritage and evolved it into a new breed of beers that are acknowledged internationally as of the highest standard and taste. This party is an opportunity not just to celebrate that heritage, but also what we are doing today and I hope people will come to the Weighbridge Square and join with us in raising a glass to our past, and our future."

Cookery demonstrations by Liberation Group’s chefs, and live music and entertainment will be performed throughout the day. Liberation Group is a member of Genuine Jersey and the company has invited its fellow members to join in the celebrations, displaying a wide range of locally produced products - from food to traditional crafts.

To mark the amazing history of brewing in the Island, Islanders are being invited to bring along any memorabilia that is beer related and might have an interesting story behind it, with experts on hand to tell them a bit more about their items. Anything from beer mats and umbrellas to special edition glasses and photographs is welcome.

As part of Cask Ale Week (1st to 9th October) Liberation Group is supporting an initiative to encourage people to ‘Try before they Buy’ at selected pubs. This will enable customers to sample the various Liberation ales on sale before deciding which one they want to order.