Congleton’s latest addition to Micro-brewing “The Cheshire Brewhouse” made an unusual delivery at the start of October, 3 casks of “Engine Vein” a copper coloured premium bitter at 4.2% to Sphynx Chamber at West Mine, Alderley Edge.

Derbyshire Caving club held a party in the mine on the 13th October entitled “Four Weddings and a Funeral” to celebrate four recent members weddings and also to celebrate the life of one of its recently departed member – Len Gee.

When one of the members saw “Engine Vein” in a pub recently, he thought it would be the ideal beer to be served at the party as it is named after another one of the copper mines at Alderley Edge. As a result, the brewery were contacted to see if they could supply the refreshment for the party and also help with delivery and setting a bar up in the unusual location.

Shane Swindells, brewer and owner of ”The Cheshire Brewhouse” commented “Getting the beer down to Sphynx Chamber in West Mine was no mean feat. First, we had to transfer the casks from my van to a land rover at the Wizard, drive to the nearest parking spot for the mine, then we had to carry the casks 200yds across a field before roping, the casks, down three shafts and rolling them down several long underground passageways to the party chamber 150 meters below the surface, using headlamps to guide the way”.

The party went down very well with all and around £400 was raised for the Derbyshire Cave Rescue Organisation.

Heather Smith of Derbyshire Caving club commented “What a top night!! Thank you to everyone who came and everyone who helped. We met in Wood Mine, got engaged in “Engine Vein” and now had a wedding reception (of sorts) in West mine. It was perfect” .

Tony Brocklebank, one of the recently wedded members, added: “Cavers are well known for their love of good beer not to mention their ability to consume it. “Engine Vein” gave us a great pint, what we hadn’t expected, was service from a brewer that extended to installation of the beer and bar over one hundred feet underground! The Cheshire Brewhouse gave us a great pint and unsurpassable service, thanks Shane!”