Handcrafted real ale Velo-City was created especially to celebrate Le Tour de France, in particular the occasion of Yorkshire’s Grande Départ.
Velo-City arrived in London this week and secured prime position at The Strangers’ Bar within the Houses of Parliament. Visitors to the House of Commons will be able to enjoy the beer throughout the cycling event.
York’s Conservative MP Julian Sturdy and Labour MP Hugh Bayley, were united in backing their local Brewery in both brewing and promoting the new and now, apparently, ‘All Party Beer’.
Julian said, ‘As a North Yorkshire farmer who grows barley for the malting industry, it was a pleasure to organise York Brewery’s visit to Westminster and lobby Parliament’s bar to stock their exceptional beer. It was also a huge privilege to help with the brewing process and tasting the end result. He added, and Hugh agreed, that ‘as the Tour de France comes to York, it is vitally important to promote our local businesses and food industry. Yorkshire has a proud culinary heritage and we should celebrate the fact that we have so many family-run food and drink businesses on our doorstep, of which York Brewery is a fantastic example.’
Hugh added, ‘York Brewery is a brilliant business success story and it’s great that in the week that the Tour De France comes to York, the Houses of Parliament will be serving York Brewery’s own Tour De France beer, Velo-City. The Tour De France is an enormous boost to York’s economy. Images of York will be screened around the world providing York’s businesses with an opportunity to reach a wider audience. It promises to be to be a spectacular event attracting visitors and investment for many years to come.’
Yorkshire musician Alistair Griffin was also part of the successful Velo-City collaboration. A fan of real ale and having just released the official Grand Départ anthem ‘The Road’ with Kimberly Walsh, he attended the brewery offering support and hands on assistance. Head Brewer Nick Webster said ‘Alistair got really stuck in with the whole brewing and production process, it was fantastic. He’s welcome to work here in between composing and performing!’
Velo-City is brewed with Yorkshire grown Pearl Malt and is flavoured with French hops, Triskel and Bouclier. The resulting Anglo-French hybrid brew is golden in colour, a nod to the iconic Maillot Jaune and is a delicious mélange of fruity-floral notes over herby undertones with a subtle Mediterranean twist of lemon and spice on the finish. At 2.8% ABV on draught, it is light and refreshing, a guaranteed crowd pleaser. It is also available bottled at 4.5%.
York Brewery’s Brand Manager Neil Arden was joined by Managing Director Jonathan Barker at Strangers’ Bar for a celebratory pint.
Neil comments, ‘as a concept, Velo-City evolved quite naturally and I think we have come up with a fitting celebration of this wonderful event and we’re all really proud to be representing Yorkshire in Westminster.’
Jonathan Barker added that, ‘Velo-City has brought both the spirit of Le Tour de France and the heart of Yorkshire to London today.’