Tribute Cornish Pale Ale will now be available on board British Airways flights from March thanks to an historic deal signed between the airline and St Austell Brewery.
Tribute is St Austell’s flagship brand and one of the fastest growing premium ale brands in the UK. The agreement with British Airways will open up the hugely successful Cornish brand to millions of the airline’s customers every year.
St Austell Brewery is producing a specially commissioned 330ml can of the 4.2% award-winning ale for the airline.
James Staughton (pictured), Managing Director of St Austell Brewery, said, “Tribute Cornish Pale Ale has experienced huge success over recent years, but this agreement truly marks it out as the beer of the moment. It is testament to the quality and flavour of our locally produced beer and also to the growing strength of the unique Cornish identity that Tribute was chosen as the only ale to be served on all British Airways flights.
“This is a historic day for St Austell Brewery and we are thrilled that passengers will be able to enjoy a true taste of Cornwall while flying all around the world. “
Tribute Cornish Pale Ale was selected as part of a move to offer the airline’s customers a taste of premium regional brands from across the length and breadth of the UK. It will be available for all customers flying long-haul and for those in Club Europe on short-haul flights, as well as in British Airways’ network of global lounges.
Troy Warfield, British Airways’ director of customer experience, said, “St Austell Brewery’s beer is the best of British so we’re delighted to offer it to customers in our lounges and on board our flights.
“We’re very proud to bring one of Britain’s premium regional beers to a wider audience so they can appreciate this perfectly balanced brew and enjoy a taste of one of the South West’s most popular brews.”
The deal will see Tribute Ale served on all but the airline’s domestic flights from 1 March. British Airways offers complimentary in-flight dining and drinks, including a wide range of alcohol from the in-flight bar, to customers in every cabin of the airline’s long and short-haul flights.
Founded in 1851 by Cornishman Walter Hicks, today St Austell Brewery remains an independent and family-owned business, offering a wide range of top quality award winning beers and operating an estate of 170 pubs, inns and hotels.
Tribute started out as Daylight Robbery, the very first ale created for St Austell Brewery by head brewer Roger Ryman for the eclipse in 1999. The secret recipe which Rymen had been keeping 'til he became a head brewer proved so popular it was renamed Tribute and is now the company’s best-selling beer.
Last year St Austell Brewery reached the landmark figure of 100,000 brewers’ barrels of its own brand beers brewed and sold in a calendar year - the first time the milestone amount has been reached in the independent company’s 164 year history. The success is in large part down to its multi award-winning Tribute Pale Ale, Proper Job IPA and Korev lager.