Cornwall based family business St Austell Brewery have released a limited-edition beer in honour of their former brewing director, Roger Ryman, who sadly passed away in May. Tribute XXTRA (6.8% abv) is a special, stronger version of Tribute Pale Ale – Roger’s first brew when he started at the brewery in 1999.
Tribute XXTRA is now available from their online shop, while stocks last (£39 for 12 x 500ml bottles). For each case sold, £2.50 will be donated to St Austell Brewery’s Charitable Trust, which supports the work of local charities and good causes across the West Country.
The strength of Tribute XXTRA, brewed using the exact same ingredients as Tribute but amplified, sets it apart from its counterpart. Tribute XXTRA is full, sweet and fruity. With alluring tropical fruit aroma and tangy marmalade flavours, overlaying a smooth malt profile, it leaves a rich, warming finish.
To celebrate Roger’s legacy, they’re encouraging everybody to say ‘cheers to Roger’ at 6pm on Saturday 28th November – the same date as the Celtic Beer Festival, which has been cancelled this year. They’re also calling for as many people to come together and raise their bottle of Tribute XXTRA as possible. The festival – which has been running for over 20 years – helps to raise essential funds for St Austell Brewery’s Charitable Trust. Over £250,000 has been raised from the event to date, since the Trust was founded in 2013.
Rob Orton, Production Manager explained: “This year, due to Covid-19, we took the difficult decision to cancel our Celtic Beer Festival. Roger first started the festival in 1999, when he joined the brewery, to give people the opportunity to try more of our small batch brews and to showcase the very best beers from across the West Country. It was always the highlight of his year, so it feels fitting to raise a beer to Roger – who we all miss hugely – on what would have been the day of our 22nd festival.”
Georgina Young, Brewing Director added: “We’re delighted that Tribute XXTRA is now available on our online shop and that six per cent of each case sold will go directly to charities in the South West.”
“Roger was an exceptional brewer and a great friend to all of us. We brewed Tribute XXTRA which has his signature on the label, as a mark of our respect to him and his wonderful beers. We’d love as many people as possible to raise a bottle of Tribute XXTRA at 6pm on Saturday 28th November.”
Black Square, the brewery’s Russian Imperial Stout, will also be available from the online shop. 2020 Vintage Black Square (10.6%) was brewed in December. It was Roger’s last brew and has spent the year maturing in bourbon barrels. Strong, rich and complex, this powerful stout carries a rich balance of tannic oak, bitter chocolate and berry fruit. Approximately 4,000 bottles will be available from 23rd November, while stocks last.
To get your hands on Tribute XXTRA to say ‘cheers’ to Roger, visit: www.staustellbreweryshop.co.uk.
