May 2014 – Hot on the heels of the launch of Timothy Taylor’s Le Champion French-style blonde beer, brewed to celebrate the Tour de France Grand Depart in Yorkshire on the 5th July, we have collaborated with our renowned meat supplier, R&J Butchers from Kirby Malzeard to bring you an inspired Tour de France sausage.
Andrew Daykin, Operations Director; Andy Towers, Sales (North West); Heike Funke, Operations Manager and Andy Whitehead, Sales Manager (North), completed their own ‘Tour de Yorkshire’ to deliver the first batch of Le Champion 4.5% ABV to R&J Butchers as this will be the unique ingredient in their 100% British pork Hog & Hop sausages. Setting off from the brewery in Keighley, the team cycled 40 miles across Yorkshire to Kirby Malzeard with pit stops at our very own Woolly Sheep Inn in Skipton, and the Crown in Pateley Bridge.
Celebrating on arrival, Heike said: ‘These sausages are going to be delicious and will make the perfect addition to the menus in our food led pubs. What better way to celebrate the start of the Tour de France than by enjoying a meal of R&J’s Hog and Hop sausages with a pint of Le Champion.’
Ryan Atkinson, MD of R&J Butchers added: ‘Yorkshire’s Grand Depart starts from outside Timothy Taylor’s Town Hall Tavern in Leeds and passes within yards of a number of their other pubs. We were extremely keen to be involved in cycling’s greatest spectacle and wanted to create something extra special. You could say we’ve had a Tete a Tete with Timothy Taylor’s to concoct some bangers and mash tun magic!’
Timothy Taylor’s 18 pubs will have Le Champion beer on the bar from the middle of May. It will also be available at other selected pubs throughout the country. Le Champion sausages will be served at the Woolly Sheep, Skipton; Lord Rodney, Keighley; the Royal Oak, Ripon; and The Town Hall Tavern, Leeds, whilst stocks last.
Photo Captions: Timothy Taylor’s cyclists preparing to leave the brewery are, from the left, Andrew Daykin, Operations Director; Andy Towers, Sales (North West); Heike Funke, Operations Manager and Andy Whitehead, Sales Manager (North)
