Brewery launches Royal Wedding beer as extension to pub hours is approved

Windsor & Eton Brewery has unveiled a limited-edition Royal Wedding beer as pubs and bars across England and Wales are given permission to extend opening hours to 1am over the wedding weekend.

The new beer, a special version of the brewery’s Windsor Knot which was first brewed to celebrate the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, will go on sale on 28 March.

Called Harry and Meghan’s Windsor Knot, the beer is made using both British and American hops.

Master brewer and co-founder of Windsor & Eton Brewery, Paddy Johnson said: “We’ve really had a lot of fun developing this new beer. We wanted to create a beer that captured something of that first appearance. We use a special blend of British hops called Invicta in recognition of Prince Harry’s role in creating the Invictus Games, combined with some great American West Coast hops.

“As with all our beers, we use barley grown locally on the Royal Farms right here in Windsor and as a finishing touch we are using Champagne yeast. Marrying these ingredients creates a new Pale Ale that is young, fresh and full of character”.

The pale ale will be available in 330ml bottles at 4.5% ABV and in cask at 4% ABV.

The UK government first announced plans to extend pub and bar opening hours over the weekend of 18-19 May in January this year. Last week, approval was given to the proposal, meaning that pubs and bars across England and Wales can serve drinks until 1am.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: “The royal wedding is a chance for communities across the country to join together and celebrate this momentous and happy occasion for our royal family and for our nation,” she said.

“As shown by the support for the proposal to extend licensing hours, it’s clear that the public back the idea of having more time to raise a glass to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on a day of national celebration”.

Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, welcomed the move, commenting: “We are delighted with the Government’s decision to extend licensing hours in the on-trade for the royal wedding.

“This will allow the nation to celebrate and raise a glass to Harry and Meghan in a responsible manner, whilst giving a timely boost to the great British beer and pub sector”.

Earlier this year, Ladbrokes provided the odds on the still and sparkling wines due to be served at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding, while a London hotel looking to cash in on the impending nuptials, has launched a £4,000 holiday package for tourists travelling to the UK specifically to witness the event.