BEER lovers can toast the memory of fallen service men and women with a beer brewed in their honour.

Arkells, based in Kingsdown, held a launch ceremony yesterday for a new beer to mark the 100-year anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War.

The beer has been called Old Contemptible after the nickname adopted by British troops belonging to the regular army in 1914.

It was supposedly derived from a comment made by the German Kaiser, Wilhelm II.

Brewery chairman James Arkell said: “To mark this important centenary we have brewed a mild ale, a style of beer that would have been drunk by my grandfather and the soldiers in 1914 and one of England’s most traditional beers.”

Made from an old recipe using British ingredients, £10 for every keg sold will be donated to this year’s Royal British Legion poppy appeal.

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Head brewer Alex Arkell, pictured, said: “At four per cent, this is considered strong for a mild. However, having looked through our records and done some research, we noticed that before WWI our mild was stronger.

“Then the government wanted people to drink less because of their work in the munitions factories, so they forced breweries to reduce the alcohol.

“Both my great grandfather Noel Arkell and great uncle Graham Arkell fought in WWI and survived, although Noel did return wounded, having been shot in the shoulder.”

Donations from the beer are expected to exceed £1,000, which will see a huge boost for the charity’s support for past and present servicemen and their families.

Graham Jackson, chairman of the Swindon branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “I think it’s a wonderful thing for the brewery to do.”

The Legion’s Swindon branch will launch its poppy appeal on Saturday in the Brunel Centre.

  • To volunteer to help, call April Porter on 01793 618748.