SPECIAL beers brewed and bottled in memory of the Accrington Pals have gone on sale at Westminster.

Volunteers launched the commemorative ales last year, which will now be on offer to politicians at the Strangers Bar.

The idea was put forward by members of the Accrington Pals working committee with help from Hyndburn MP Graham Jones.

The ales, which include the pale ale Lest we Forget and a bitter named Lions led by Donkeys, have been created by Irwell Works Brewery.

They went on sale on July 1 – exactly 98 years since the first day of the Battle of the Somme where hundreds of Pals soldiers were killed or injured.

Cath Holmes, whose great-uncle Walter was killed in September 1918, said: “It was really nice that the day it went on sale coincided with the 98th anniversary.

“We are really pleased about it. I didn’t know anything like that could even happen. They have quite a long waiting list of ales so it’s great that we have got it in there.”

Councillor Nick Collingridge, who travelled down with Mr Jones to unveil the beer, said: “We were shown around the place and went into the Strangers Bar and pulled a pint of the ale.

“Interest in the ales is really looking up and things are taking off. That’s really good.”

Coun Collingridge said they are look into the possibility of selling the beer at the bar in Accrington and Rossendale College and at the Clitheroe Festival in August.

The Observer
reported last year how the Pals beer was officially unveiled to the public at the Lancashire Food festival in Accrington Town Hall.

Proceeds from the sales will go towards future Pals projects.