PRINCE BREWS ALE.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17804, 31 August 1929, Page 4

PRINCE BREWS ALE.

BEER NOT TO BE SOLD. AN INTERESTING INCIDENT. Following in the footsteps of ids grand-father who, 27 years ago, performed a similar operation, the Prince of Wale:*, has brewed beer at Burton-on-Trcnt which henceforward will be known as the ‘‘Prince’s Ale." ! His Royal Highness was on a visit j !o the famous brewery town in Staffordshire in connection with its civic I jubilee, having down a distance of 130 miles by aeroplane from Hendon, in Ihe space of six hours lie not only learned all about the process of making beer but attended a civic luncheon; laid a wreath on the war memorial; inspected 3000 school children and members of the British Legion, and visited an artificial silk factory, a hospital, a tyre factory, an indiarubber and telegraph works, and a local drill hail. Through tbc gaily befiagged streets the Prince was conducted to one of the breweries. Thousands of people cheered him, for they are proud of their beer in Burton, where the monks of tbc Abbey of Burton were noted in tiic 13th century for the quality 1 of their “nut-brown ale.” The Prince was taken to the mash room, where, By Turning A Wheel, lie started a new brew of beer. Soon the brew was bubbling and seething, and a golden-brown clear liquid was ready to lie drawn off into 200 barrels, of 3G gallons to a barrel. After bottling it will remain for several years, when it will not be sold, but given away like gil'ls of rare wine. j In Itie lesling room the Prince sampled six varieties of beer. One 1 of Hie dust-covered 'hollies of the ale brewed by King Edward was lifted from a shell' and opened. The Prince ; sipped it and remarked with a laugh, i "This tastes extraordinarily strong.” j Before lie left the brewery the Prince suddenly recognised one of the l 'commissionaires. Approaching' him lie > staled, “You were in the Grenadier j Guards during the war?” “Yes. lam [ Thomas Walker,” replied the man. i The Prince gripped him by the hand, ! .for Walker was formerly a footman 1 lo Queen Alexandra. When the j Prince was still at school Walker ! played games with him at Bu-*klng- j ham Palace. Walker followed the j King and Ihe Prince lo France. It j was lie who was the first to reach the j King’s side when, on a visit to (he | battlefield In 1915, His Majesty fell from his horse. Walker carried, the J King into a chateau and rendered first | aid. i “It was quite like old limes meet- ' ing the Prince again,” Walker do- I chared. “I have howled him at j cricket in the Palace grounds, and j •bowled liim out, but be did the same to me.” , The Prince returned lo Hendon by 1 air. |