JD Wetherspoon pledges support for national war memorial with Titanic brew

Titanic has created Desert Hero ale to raise money for a memorial to the armed forces who fought and lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The 4.8% ABV ale, brewed using Yorkshire malt and English hops, will be sold in Wetherspoon pubs throughout April and June.

Money raised by the beer will go towards the £1m needed for the memorial.

The Sun on Sunday has already raised more than £200,000, and the Government has said that £500,000 from fines accrued through the LIBOR banking scandal would go towards the fund. The Treasury, meanwhile, has agreed to waive the VAT on money raised.

Superb beer​

JD Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said: “We are delighted to be backing this campaign and are confident that our customers will welcome the opportunity to enjoy a superb beer from Titanic and raise funds at the same time.”

Keith Bott, managing director of Titanic Brewery, said: “It is an honour to be chosen to support such a fantastic campaign.

“The whole country should get behind this campaign to provide a fitting tribute to the servicemen and women who saw action in the two Gulf Wars and Iraq.”

Bott, who is also chairman of the Society of Independent Brewers, added: “Titanic and JD Wetherspoon are making a donation from each cask of Desert Hero – but, just as importantly, we hope the presence of our beer in hundreds of popular pubs will raise awareness and lead to the stepping up of fundraising efforts.

More than 300,000 servicemen and women, supported by thousands of civilians, saw action in Iraq and Afghanistan between 1990 and 2014.

Tragically, 679 servicemen and women paid the ultimate price while thousands more were injured in action.