Co-ALE-ition – a very successful thirst year

Virtually a year has now passed since we first launched a Co-ALE-ition real ale brewed by a local Hampshire brewery especially for the OMRLP. Since then a total of over 25,000 pints of Co-ALE-ition have been consumed in more than 140 different establishments across 9 different counties and also in Central London. In addition a Co-ALE-ition main story has featured in more than 60 different newspaper and magazine articles all of which has helped to publicise and promote the OMRLP and confirm to potential votes that there is plenty of life in the old dog yet.

A total of 18 different Co-ALE-ition events were organised over the last 12 months and have been well attended. 14 members of the OMRLP have attended at least one Co-ALE-ition event. A particular highlight was the launch of Monster Mash at the Mash brewery followed afterwards by visits to two Winchester pubs attended by Howling and all 5 Cabinet members who were featured on the Monster Mash pumpclip. Who could also forget the trip to the Houses of Parliament and Howling and Knigel drinking Winning Co-ALE-ition in The Strangers Bar with 4 MPs. Also the Winning Co-ALE-ition launch event at the Prince Arthur in Fleet last Sept, attended by over 300 guests including MPs, Mayors and many local councillors, was another memorable occasion. Howling’s appearance on the BBC’s Politics Show also publicised Co-ALE-ition to the masses.

Both the Fleet Lions Ale Festival and the Nags Head in Reading featured all 6 Co-ALE-ition ales on one day. The Prince Arthur (Fleet) and the Waggon and Horses (Hartley Wintney) have both sold 5 different Co-ALE-ition ales over the last year.

Mash brewery produced a bottled conditioned version of Monster Mash real ale which has proved to be very popular. All 1000 bottles of this special edition were completely sold out in just 6 weeks since we officially launched it in late July and we now have a waiting/reserve list. We have since heard of bottles of Monster Mash making their way to St Louis (USA), Annecy (France) and Sydney (Australia).

The 1st year Co-ALE-ition Party is on Thursday 18th Sept with a special lunch of home made Steak and Ale Hot Pot made with Monster Mash ale. This lunch will be followed by the main event starting at 6pm hosted and arranged by Howling in the Prince Arthur in Fleet where 4 different Co-ALE-ition ales will be on sale. Then finally from 9.30 we finish the night at the Hook Tandoori where we will officially launch Monster Mash in a bottle with a curry at the best Indian restaurant in Hampshire. No doubt Howling will have some surprises for us especially as the Scottish Independence count takes place on the very same night, lets hope he is not wearing a kilt that night!!.