SAR 60 celebrates with Rebel Rescue Ale

As part of `SAR 60’, celebrations to mark 60 years of the Royal Navy Search and Rescue service, `Rebel Brewery’ of Penryn near  Falmouth in Cornwall are brewing a special beer with the help of 771 Naval Air Squadron, based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose.

During the first brew of the uniquely named, `Rebel Rescue Ale’, sailors from the squadron helped out with the first brew, mixing Barley grain into the `Mash Tub’ to produce the sweet golden liquid  that will eventually become the SAR 60 Commemorate Ale. 

Looking on with others who had come along from Culdrose was Leading Aircrewman Gaz Kneeshaw, whose idea the beer was. `We were looking at ways to raise money for charity during the SAR 60 year’, said Gaz. `I needed some stuff for my own home brew hobby and came across Rebel Brewery. This is brilliant for me; it’s on a different scale altogether compared to my efforts. Everyone on the squadron is really enthusiastic about the beer and looking forward to drinking it’. 

`Rebel Rescue’ is likely to become a sure fire winner during the summer with the public and sailors at the base. During 2013 it is hoped that SAR 60 fundraising will raise over £60,000 for three charities; Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charities, CLIC Sargent and South West Hospice. Proceeds from the beer will add towards the total. 

Rob Lowe, Managing Director of Rebel Brewery said, `We’re really impressed that Culdrose have taken this on. All the bars and messes on the base have agreed to stock the beer. Every penny over the cost of making the beer will go to the 771 Sqn charities. The design of the beer label has been given over to the Sqn, their input is crucial. We’ll have stalls at Beer Festivals in the South West, Armed Force Day in Falmouth and at Culdrose Air Day.  

The Beer will be a light golden colour and have a fruity aroma. At around 4% the beer it will make a great accompaniment to light meals and summer drinking. After an initial brew the brewery will run two to three batches a week. It will be on sale to the public for the rest of the year either online or in local shops and supermarkets inCornwall. The  eye catching design and labels has been approval by senior officers at RNAS Culdrose with an iconic Red and Grey Search and Rescue Sea King placed against a blacken sky, so characteristic of many of the Sqn’s rescue callouts.