The tribute beer has been brewed by the Beartown Brewery in Congleton, England. The brewery takes its name from the town’s nickname of ‘Beartown’ which originates from festivities in 1632 when Congleton sold the town’s bible to buy a bear.
Head brewer Ian Burns pays tribute to Wojtek the Soldier Bear.
Head brewer Ian Burns explains: “Wojtek the bear was discovered as a cub in Iran by Polish troops as they travelled through the Middle East to join the allied forces. He is known to have drunk beer and enjoyed cigarettes with the soldiers. He was officially enlisted and given the rank of Corporal to allow him to travel to Italy where, at The Battle of Monte Cassino, he helped move artillery shells to assist the soldiers.”
“Since then an insignia of Wojtek carrying an artillery shell, has adorned the uniform and vehicles of his comrades in the Polish 22nd Transport Company. At the end of the war Wojtek retired to live at Edinburgh Zoo, and there are still those who can remember him enjoying cigarettes there.”
Wojtek (pronounced Voy-tek) has now been launched as a 5.5% ABV bottled beer following the worldwide interest that was generated from its UK cask conditioned debut last year.
The deep golden brew is full of character and described as having a smooth bitterness with a crisp aroma. The character is derived from three types of malted barley and two types of wheat with both old and new world hop varieties.
Fittingly the beer is packaged in slim ‘European style’ bottles similar to those from which Wojtek and his fellow soldiers are seen drinking from in original photographs.
Already the tribute beer has been well received. It was fittingly served in cask at last year’s London debut showing of ‘The Bear that Went to War’. The documentary film includes archive footage and reconstructions of Wojtek’s story.
Before that it was listed by JD Weatherspoon in the world’s biggest beer festival where its story went on to attract world wide attention.
“The interest is phenomenal,” says Ian Burns. “We have received so many overseas requests, particularly from people who know the story of Wojtek.”
“Initially we will be producing a limited edition of 10,000 consecutively numbered bottles. These are available for direct ordering from the brewery or online through our website at www.beartownbrewery.co.uk where there is also more information about the remarkable story of Wojtek.”
For more information contact Oliver Mason on: 01260 291 244