Brewers raise a glass to Bradford City’s cup success with special-edition ales (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Brewers raise a glass to Bradford City’s cup success with special-edition ales

9:00am Thursday 31st January 2013 in News By Julie Tickner, T&A Reporter

Ale makers are brewing up a storm of support for the Bantams with a series of City-themed pints.

Saltaire Brewery has renamed its much-loved Saltaire Blonde ‘Bantam Blonde’ and Dudley Hill’s Salamander brewery and HB Clark’s of Wakefield, which has a depot in Keighley, have made special brews to celebrate Bradford City getting to the Capital Cup One Final.

Saltaire Brewery’s sales and marketing manager Wendy Carthew said: “A few landlords were ringing up to ask if we were doing anything. There’s a lot of enthusiasm out there.

“At Saltaire Brewery we’re all behind the team and are really excited. We’re trying our best to get to Wembley to support them. We’ve some enthusiastic supporters. They’ll be keeping a very close eye on the match, whether they’re there, watching at home or watching in a local pub.”

The firm, which is based in Dockfield Road, Shipley, and sells 14,400 pints of Saltaire Blonde each week, also renamed the beer the Bantam Blonde in 2009 to support City’s £100,000 Burns Unit Appeal.

Salamander has brewed an ale called Giant Slayers and HB Clark’s has come up with City ‘Wembley’ Gent – an aptly-named cask ale.

And they have the backing of the original City Gent himself – Lenny Berry, who agreed to feature on the pump clip.

Lifelong Bantams fan and Clark’s Bradford account manger, Garry Boldy, said the forthcoming final was too good an opportunity to miss.

To cope with demand, brewing operations of the 3.9 per cent pale ale, said to have a fruity aroma and a light, spicy taste, have been upped, according to Mr Boldy.

Clark’s brewery has also pledged to donate ten pence from every pint of City Wembley Gent sold to Bradford Burns Unit in memory of fans who died in the 1985 Valley Parade disaster.

Any pubs interested in selling it can contact Clark's Keighley depot on (01535) 603049.

Fifty Bantam Blonde pump clips have been made and given out to local pubs, but any who have not received one can call Saltaire Brewery on (01274) 594959.