Off to a flying start: Wood's MD Edward Wood with Midlands Air Ambulance Flight Doctor Matt Boylan and Flight Paramedic Becky Tinsley, on the brewery car park.

The brewery has pledged a percentage of the price of Triple A to the Air Ambulance charity for every bottle and draught pint sold.

Steve Parry, Spokesperson for Midlands Air Ambulance said the charity was honoured to have a beer named after it. “It will enable thousands of our supporters to raise a glass of “Air Ambulance Ale” during this special year.”

The 4.3% bitter beer was officially launched when an Air Ambulance helicopter flew in to the brewery site in the village of Wistanstow, much to the delight of local schoolchildren and playgroup youngsters, who were allowed to watched the aircraft land and then inspected it at close quarters.

Wood’s MD Edward Wood said: “Everyone associated with Wood’s is absolutely delighted to be a part of the Air Ambulance birthday celebrations. We are confident that this special ale brewed for the occasion will raise a significant sum of money for the Charity and give supporters of the service a great deal of pleasure.”

The Air Ambulance provides the primary response to counties including the West Midlands, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, dealing with over 3,500 callouts each year.

It operates from Tatenhill Airport in Staffordshire, RAF Cosford, near Wolverhampton, and Strensham North Services on the M5. The cost of running and maintaining current level of operations stands at £5.6 million, for which the organisation relies entirely on voluntary donations.