Launch of beer for industrial revolution pioneer Abraham Darby
A special beer commemorating a pioneer of the industrial revolution has been launched in his home village.
Holden's Brewery, based in Woodsetton, has made the beer in tribute to Abraham Darby, who was born there in 1678.
He discovered a much quicker way of producing iron and set up his first furnace in Coalbrookdale, near Ironbridge, in 1709.
His grandson, Abraham Darby lll, went on to build the world-famous Ironbridge which opened on New Year's Day in 1781.
Abi Kemp, from Holden's Brewery said: “We are honoured and delighted to have been asked to produce this special commemorative beer for such an important historical figure."
The beer, called Abraham Darby 1st Molten Glow Special, was launched on Wednesday.
It forms part of a project - led by Woodsetton councillors Keiran Casey and Adam Aston, and local resident Mandy Caddick - to honour Mr Darby in the village. A monument is also planned.
They are raising funds to build the monument, which is earmarked for the junction of Sedgley Road and Birmingham New Road.
The campaigners hope it will act as a gateway into Woodsetton.
Councillor Casey thanked artist Steve Field for making custom artwork for the beer, and Mandy and Holden's for helping with the project.
Councillor Casey said: "It is a fitting tribute to Abraham Darby to produce this beer as it is known that Darby bought his workers a consignment of beer to celebrate after they successfully made pig iron with coke instead of charcoal at the furnace!"
Mr Darby perfected the method of producing pig iron in a blast furnace fuelled by coke, rather than charcoal.
It marked a major step forward in the production of iron as a building block for the industrial revolution.
More than 2,000 bottles of the commemorative beer have been brewed.
Holden's is donating 10 per cent from sales to the monument.
