Brownhills brewery gets in on the act at jazz festival
A leading Brownhills brewer can blow its own trumpet after producing a limited edition ale for a Midlands jazz and blues festival.
Billie's Brew has been produced by Backyard Brewhouse. It has been named in honour of singer and songwriter Billie Holiday, who would have been aged 100 this year.
The brewers were approached to create the drink as part of the annual Birmingham Jazz and Blues Festival being held next month.
Around 600 bottles of the smooth premier ale, which is 5.5 per cent alcohol content, have been made and will be available during the event at places across the city from July 3 to 12.
Backyard Brewhouse, which is based at the Gatehouse Trading Estate, were asked to come up with a tipple by Le Monde restaurant in Brindley Place.
Most of the bottles, which are priced at £3, will be available at the restaurant.
The company already has more than 35 ales amongst its portfolio.
Managing director at Backyard, Austen Morgan, said the smooth ale would fit in with jazz and blues theme and coincide with the celebration of Holiday's life.
He said: "We were approached. They came up with the name and we came up with the beer and the artwork for it.
"We are really happy with it. The first delivery went into Le Monde's on Thursday of last week.
"It is nice to feel people out there are thinking about us when they come up with these ideas."
The brewers have been trading from Brownhills for seven years and have built up a strong reputation in the region.
They are also providing some of their tipples at the Bands on the Beacon in Walsall this weekend.
The drinks which are expected to be available include the Backyard Blonde, D&B Porter along with the Backyard Dry cider.
