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Wednesday, August 22, 2007 | 07:31
 | | The new Harwich Electric Palace Ale |
A NEW beer brewed in Harwich has gone on sale to raise funds for an historic cinema in the town.
The Harwich Town Brewing Company has produced nearly 1,400 litres of its new tipple in support of the Electric Palace Cinema, which continues to campaign for cash to carry out much-needed structural repairs.
Harwich EPA, which stands for Electric Palace Ale, is now available from selected pubs in Harwich and Ipswich and those behind the move hope it can be of benefit to both businesses.
The five barrel micro-brewery, launched earlier this year, is housed in an old bus garage on Station Approach, just around the corner from the Electric Palace which opened in 1911 and is currently bidding to raise £65,000 for essential structural work.
Speaking at yesterday's launch, head brewer Paul Mellor said that if the new beer proved popular it could become a permanent fixture on the brewery's roster.
He said: “It's an occasional beer. We brewed 1,400 pints and have produced about 400 bottles. If it takes off it will become more regular and a donation from each bottle or pint will go to the Palace.”
He said he hoped to raise more than £100 for the picture house through the sales.
The brew will be available from the New Bell pub in Harwich and the Rose and Crown in Ipswich, and will be on offer at various one-off events, including a special BBQ on August 26 at Harwich's Government House, held in aid of the cinema's appeal.
Mr Mellor added: “The name is a bit of a pun on IPA and I'm all for supporting local industry - I'm a local lad myself. As a micro brewery, we've got to trade on tradition.”
Roger Hamer, a trustee of the Palace who also mans the projector, said it was a case of “mutual support”, with one of the newest industries in town joining one of the oldest.
He said: “There are still some people here who don't know it (the cinema) exists - and we want to make sure everybody knows about it and give them a chance to support it.
“We're still looking for volunteers to help with projecting and front of house.”
The cinema has received star backing in recent times through the patronage of screen icon Clive Owen and by teaming up with the brewery the dedicated team of volunteers aim to raise its profile even higher.
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