BURNLEY ‘CHAMPS’ SCORE WITH CASK ALE AND FOOTBALL BONANZAS
Burnley’s Premier League football club has joined with Moorhouse’s – the town’s ‘premiership brewery’ – to host a pioneering series of Fanzone Beer Festivals.
The events see a range of the acclaimed ‘Pendle Witches’ cask-conditioned ales available to fans at home games. Brews include Premier Bitter (3.7%abv), a former gold winner at the Beer Industry International Awards, rebadged in the club’s claret and blue colours. Other brands available will be regular brews White Witch and Pride of Pendle along with the blended special Claret’s Best. The festivals also feature live bands and player appearances, with a draw for “family of the day” – who get to watch the team warm up from the home dug-out.
Burnley FC joined the Premiership this season while Moorhouse’s was ‘promoted’ to ‘regional brewery’ status three years ago with the launch of a £4.2m brewing complex that trebled brewing capacity.
Managing director David Grant said: “We are delighted to support the Clarets as they go up against top UK clubs. With our new brewery we have also been promoted into a premier league of regional brewers, so it seemed a logical tie.
“The first festival was such a success the beers quickly sold out and the club doubled its order. These events give us a great platform to showcase our award winning beers and a rare chance for supporters to enjoy quality cask ales along with quality football. This demonstrates that cask will sell well at sports grounds. I believe only a couple of Premiership clubs sell cask ale, with most dominated by big keg brands. So once again Moorhouse’s – together with Burnley FC – are among the pioneers in the growing cask ale market.”
Burnley FC catering manager Chris Gibson said: The Fanzone and Beer Festival is a great opportunity for two of Burnley’s best known names to work together. We hope our fans will come to see this area as part of the match-day experience and help us celebrate the premier status of both the Football Club and Moorhouse’s Brewery.”
Moorhouse’s is enjoying growth at some 13 per cent a year as its brands now gain national exposure with leading UK pub companies and free trade pubs throughout the North. Turnover has now reached more than £5m.
