A specially-brewed cask of real ale will hit the pumps after a micro-brewery teamed up with its local paper to celebrate 150 years of publishing in the town.

The Tindle-run Mid-Devon Advertiser series was launched in 1863 and, in honour of the landmark anniversary, Hunter’s Brewery has cooked up a four per cent session ale called Hop Off The Press.

The draught beer will be available in 15 pubs across Teignbridge, the paper’s South Devon patch, and there will also be the chance to win a limited edition bottled variety.

Editorial manager Ruth Davey said the idea was bourne at a beer festival, where she and Hunter’s owner Paul Walker got chatting.

“We really want to celebrate our 150th by highlighting links with the community we serve,” said Ruth.

“Having our own beer just seemed like a great idea, particularly in a district renowned for great food and drink. After all, what two organisations are closer to the heart of any community than the local paper and, well, the local?”

Throughout the year, the Advertiser will be linking up with community groups to run competitions and activities in celebration of the occasion.

Schoolchildren have already re-worked the paper’s masthead Google-style, and the 31 WI groups in their patch have been invited to take part in a birthday cake competition.

Tindle Newspapers Ltd assistant managing director Sandra Perraton with Hunter’s Brewery Area sales manager Kevin Smythe and licensees Tim and Sue Langford at the launch of Hop off the Press

Brewery owner Paul said Hop Off The Press uses Amarillo, Golding and Boadicea hops.

“It is an amber coloured ale with nice grapefruit and lychee smell and aftertaste,” he added.
“We have given it good mouth feel and more flavour still feel by adding torrified [heat treated] wheat.

“I think it’s going to go down very well indeed and how better to round off the week than with a pint of Hop Off The Press and a copy of the MDA in your favourite local?”

A penny from every pint sold will go to the Royal British Legion, a charity close to Sir Ray Tindle’s heart.

Sir Ray served in the Devonshire Regiment and founded his business, which now runs more than 200 newspapers across the country, with £300 demob money.