grinned as he pulled a pint and sampled a “supercharged” spirit on a visit to the brewing capital of Britain yesterday.
The 76-year-old monarch readily got behind the bar on a visit to the family-run Tower Brewery in Burton upon Trent, a Staffordshire town that produces as much as a quarter of the country’s beer.
Charles cracked a joke before sampling the pint of Gone for a Burton, a traditional mid-strength beer which is one of the brewery’s popular special brands.
Owner John Mills, who poured a pint beside the monarch, said: “Are you going to have a slurp of that, Sir?”
The King chuckled, noting that if not, he was “in the wrong place.” Holding up his glass, he said: “To your very good health,” before taking a sip.
Read more:
King Charles III pulls a pint during a visit to Tower Brewery in Burton Upon Trent, Staffordshire (Image: PA)
King Charles III holds a pint alongside Tower Brewery owner John Mills (Image: Getty Images)
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Mr Mills then told the King about a 41% proof liquor he had created with a colleague called The Spirit of Burton, explaining that it could not be called a whiskey as it is not matured but was a distilled version of one of his strong IPAs.
The King sniffed the clear liquid before taking a sip. “Mmmm.. Interesting,” he said, with a laugh, adding: “Yes, it’s supercharged.”
Charles was then given a brief history of the town’s brewing background from Dr Harry White, chair of the National Brewing Centre in Burton. He was told how India Pale Ale had become synonymous with Burton after the first beers were shipped from the town to India in 1822.
The monarch was given a bottle of The Spirit of Burton to take home, as well as several bottles of IPA and a bottle of 1902 King’s Ale, which was brewed by the newly crowned Edward VII in 1902 during a visit to the Bass brewery.
Don’t miss… [DETAILS]
King Charles III during a visit to JCB World Headquarters (Image: Getty Images)
Charles’ great-great-grandfather started the mash, which involved some 400 casks of 36 gallons, and the beer was then stored to mature.
A limited quantity was released in 1905, followed by a batch in 1911 to mark his coronation and a large batch released in 1977 to mark Bass’s 200th anniversary, when every employee was given a bottle.
Earlier on Monday, the King walked through an impressive mechanical guard of honour as he arrived at JCB World Headquarters in Rocester, Staffordshire.
The 76-year-old monarch wished the company “many happy returns” on his visit to the site to celebrate the 80th anniversary of JCB – the iconic British construction equipment company that was granted a Royal Warrant earlier this year.
Charles was given a tour of JCB World Headquarters by billionaire chairman Lord Bamford and was shown the backhoe loader assembly line.
Britain’s King Charles smiles during a visit to the Tower Brewery in Burton-Upon-Trent (Image: AP)
King Charles was met by an impressive guard of honour (Image: Getty)
He viewed the wheels being fitted to one of the diggers and helped fit one with team leader Becky Bayliss, 32, who said his effort was “perfect”.
Charles later helped fill up a new JCB Backhoe Loader with hydrogen and greeted 100-year-old Ken Harrison who worked on the original factory floor when it opened in 1945.
Meeting Ken, who worked for JCB for 36 years, he said: “Are you sure you should be here today? I’m very impressed. It must have done some good, I must say, to get to one hundred.”
Charles added: “I hope you got your message on your hundredth birthday? I’m so glad the system works.”
Around 3,500 staff, almost the entire workforce, lined up outside waving Union Flags to cheer the King as he departed.