Coopers Brewery have released the new beer they have created to mark their 150th anniversary. The aptly named Coopers Celebration Ale is reportedly a hops-driven traditional red ale that is distinctly different in style to the other beers in their range.
Three different hops varieties have bee utilised – Centennial from the USA, Nelson Sauvin from New Zealand and Pride of Ringwood from Australia – to produce a beer with reportedly strong estery characteristics.
Coopers’ Managing Director, Dr Tim Cooper, says that while the Celebration Ale has been specifically brewed to mark the anniversary there is a chance that it could be part of their regular line up – if it proves sufficiently popular.
“We think Celebration Ale will appeal to those who enjoy 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.”
He went on to add that the release of Celebration Ale had been timed to coincide as closely as possible to the 150 years to the day that Thomas Cooper made his first commercial brew – 13 May 1862.
Coopers’ Chairman and Marketing Director, Mr Glenn Cooper, said Celebration Ale’s black and gold packaging was an outstanding use of vibrant colours and graphics, adding that the beer was possibly one of the worst kept secrets of the brewery – not that they mind.
“It has been an open secret that Coopers would release a special beer to mark its 150th anniversary,” he says. “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.”
The beer would be available in 355 ml bottles only and is expected to retail for around $55.00 per carton.