You’re due a Deuchars at The Gathering 2009
Pictured left to right at the announcement of the sponsorship deal: Lord Sempill, Co-director of The Gathering 2009; Stephen Crawley, Managing Director of Caledonian Brewing Company Ltd; Sean Betz, World Highland Games Heavy Events Champion 2008; Larry Brock, runner-up in 2008 World Highland Games Heavy Events Championship.
Edinburgh's last remaining brewery will be rolling out the barrels at The Gathering 2009. The Caledonian Brewing Company are to sponsor a major part of the Highland Games in the capital's Holyrood Park on 25 and 26 July 2009.
As part of the substantial five-figure deal, the award-winning brand, Deuchars IPA, will give its name to the Deuchars World Highland Games Heavy Events Championship as well as become the official beer of The Gathering 2009.
Speaking on the eve of the year-long countdown to the event, The Gathering 2009's Co-Director, Lord Sempill, said: "We are delighted that such a well recognised Scottish brand is involved in The Gathering 2009. The Caledonian Brewery has played an important part in Edinburgh life for what will be 140 years in 2009, and it seems fitting that the capital's one remaining brewery should join us to celebrate the culture and history of Scotland and the best our country produces in the 21st century."
Stephen Crawley, Managing Director of Caledonian Brewing Company Ltd, said: "Caledonian Brewery and Deuchars IPA are delighted to be involved with such a dynamic celebration of Scotland's traditions and its place in the modern world. The Gathering 2009 is set to be one of Edinburgh's highlights next year and it is only right that Deuchars IPA, Edinburgh's favourite beer, will be there to support this historic celebration."
The Caledonian Brewery is the last survivor of over 40 breweries that operated in Victorian Edinburgh and remains relatively unchanged since it's opening in 1869. Ingredients are still weighed and added by hand and beers are brewed in the UK's only direct-fired, open coppers.
Deuchars IPA has won more than 40 international awards since 1991, including the 2002 CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain and World Champion at the 2005 Brewing Industry International Awards.
Approximately 11 million pints of Deuchars are brewed annually, and it is sold in over 70% of pubs in Edinburgh, as well as in bars throughout the UK.
Next year will be the 30th World Heavy Events Championship which has been organised by David Webster from Ayrshire since its inception in 1980. Scotland's Grant Anderson won the inaugural title in Los Angeles and other notable winners include double Commonwealth gold medallist Geoff Capes, who was champion five years in a row between 1983 and 1987.
This year's championship was won by American Sean Betz in West Virginia, and he will be defending his title next year at The Gathering 2009 in Edinburgh. Speaking at a photocall to mark the sponsorship announcement, he said:
"This is the most important games I have ever trained for, as they are part of a special event in what is an important year for Scotland. I am therefore really honoured to be competing in The Gathering 2009 in Edinburgh in Homecoming year. The World Championship has been supported well in recent times, but because next year's event is part of a huge gathering, Deuchars' sponsorship is essential in making sure this is the best supported games of all time."
