Coopers Brewery has released a new beer to mark its 150th anniversary.

Coopers Celebration Ale is a hops-driven traditional ale with a dark-red hue that is distinctly different in style to Coopers’ other beers.

It incorporates three different hops varieties – Centennial from the USA, Nelson Sauvin from New Zealand and Pride of Ringwood from Australia – to produce a beer that displays strong estery characteristics.

Coopers’ Managing Director, Dr Tim Cooper, said Celebration Ale had been specifically brewed to mark Coopers’ 150th anniversary. However, if it proved popular, strong consideration would be given to making it a regular Coopers’ line.

“We think Celebration Ale will appeal to those whoenjoy slightly hoppier styles of beer,” he said.

“At 5.2% abv, it has a rich aroma of fruity esters with a slight hint of citrus and has a warm finish on the palate. It is also slightly more bitter than other Coopers ales.”

Dr Cooper said the release of Celebration Ale had been timed to coincide as closely as possible to 150 years from the day that Thomas Cooper made his first commercial brew, on 13th May 1862.

Coopers’ Chairman and Marketing Director, Mr Glenn Cooper, said Celebration Ale’s packaging was outstanding with the use of vibrant colours and graphics.

“The bottles will be packed in basket packs, while cartons will be predominantly black with gold writing to complement the neck labels on the bottles,” he said.

“It has been an open secret that Coopers would release a special beer to mark its 150th anniversary and there has been a large amount of interest about what we would produce and when it would be available.

“People understand that if Coopers is going to release a beer to mark a special occasion, it will be a special beer.

“We are confident that the beer itself and its packaging tick all the boxes.

“Early indications are that the initial production run will be quickly snapped up and we have already scheduled additional production to keep up with demand.”

Mr Cooper said the beer would be available in 355 ml bottles only.

Celebration Ale is expected to retail for around $55.00 per carton.

CELEBRATION ALE – TASTING NOTES

Coopers is now the largest Australian-owned breweryand this year marks a significant milestone in our history as we celebrate our 150th anniversary.

Coopers’ journey began on 13th May 1862, when founder Thomas Cooper produced his first beer.

Even then, Thomas Cooper’s sense of brewing excellence was evident through his use of only the best ingredients available and by the application of pride and passion to his craft. To this day the tradition continues, as Coopers sources the highestquality barley from South Australia and hops from interstate and overseas.

Our 150th anniversary milestone deserves to be acknowledged.What better way to mark the occasion than the release of a celebratory beer, aptly named ‘Celebration Ale’.

This ale is the culmination of careful planning andresearch by our Brewing team, resulting in a distinctive beer presented in kegs or eye catching 355ml bottles.

Celebration Ale is unique in that the water used inthe brewing process comes from the brewery’s own deep aquifers, with the mineral composition modified specifically for ale brewing.

The barley is sourced from the maritime regions of South Australia. The pale malt from this barley is complemented by the use of crystal malt, giving the beer an appealing red hue and a nutty, slightly sweet aftertaste.

This 5.2% alcohol strength ale is both refreshing and moreish. The aroma and flavour of Celebration Ale is furtherenhanced by the three varieties of hops used in different stages of the brewing process.

Firstly, the local bittering variety Pride of Ringwood hops, grown in the temperate climate of Myrrhee, Victoria, is added in the kettle.

Late hopping is achieved by blending Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand and Centennial hops from the USA.

The Nelson Sauvin imparts what is described as a “white wine fruitiness”, whereas the addition of Centennial results in a passionfruit, grassy and citrussy top note.

Coopers’ ale yeast characteristically produces its distinct tropical fruity esters, and all of these aromas and flavours combine together during a slow fermentation.

Some of the yeast remains in the final product for natural conditioning in the bottle, resulting in Coopers’ trademark sediment.

Join us in celebrating this special occasion by pouring Celebration Ale into your favourite beer glass; your eyes will be immediately drawn to the thick foam on top of a rich, ruby-red brew.

The first mouthful will highlight the malt driven flavour, which is balanced by a refreshingly crisp bitterness, followed by fruity esters lingering in the aftertaste. Celebration Ale will match well with chicken, seafood, tangy cheeses, and fruit-based desserts.