Swallow your pride! (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Swallow your pride!

Swindon Mayor Ray Fisher with Arkell's head brewer Don Brache. Ref: 78941-62NOT only do residents in Swindon have a town to be proud of, now there is a beer to demonstrate our pride.

Arkell's Brewery has launched a new ale, Swindon Pride, to show how proud they are of the town and its people.

Swindon Mayor Ray Fisher, and Financial Director of Arkell's, said: "One of my themes for this year was trying to convince my fellow councillors that we needed to be proud of our town.

"I came up with the idea of having a beer to celebrate Swindon and asked Arkell's with they would be willing to produce it."

Coun Fisher has been one of the main supporters of the Advertiser's Swindon and Proud Campaign.

He said: "It is too easy to put something down. I think it is smashing that the Adver is building the town up."

The beer is based on the brewery's summer ale, and is described as being very light with a lot of lager-like qualities.

"You could call it a lager with flavour," said Coun Fisher.

The brew has been popular at beer festivals across the country.

But does the new ale reflect the people and traditions of Swindon?

"We have been brewing in the town since 1843.

"It's got a lot of the traditional, older brewery qualities about it. But this is combined with some modern qualities too," said Coun Fisher.

And he believes drinkers in the town will enjoy the new tipple.

"I've tried it and thoroughly enjoyed it," he said.

"I hope the rest of the town does too."

This year Coun Fisher celebrates 31 years of service with the brewery.

Around 5,000 bottles of the Swindon Pride ale have been produced so far and will be available in most Arkell's pubs.

It is also available by the crate for £13.20.