Joking that he’d be in the wrong place if he weren’t stepping into Tower Brewery, King Charles celebrated the end of a day of engagements in Staffordshire with a pint of ‘supercharged’ ale.
The King was in the West Midlands to visit JCB, a construction equipment company, and Tower Brewery on Monday. The visit to JCB coincided with the company’s 80th anniversary.
The construction equipment company employs around 7,500 people in the United Kingdom. During his visit, King Charles walked the backhoe loader assembly line and saw the wheels of a backhoe digger being fitted before chipping in himself. He also met with employees, apprentices, and their families along the line.
Afterwards, at a reception on site for around 60 people, King Charles met with selected employees, including members of two families who have been employed at JCB for a combined 1,000 years. The Boot Family’s time at JCB dates back to 1949 with Bill Boot; his great-grandson Leigh works there today, one of nine members of the family that still works there.
King Charles also met 100-year-old Ken Harrison, who was on the team in 1953 when JCB produced the first backhoe loaders. Joking with the centenarian, the King asked, “I hope you got your message on your hundredth birthday? I’m so glad the system works.”
Before departing, the King unveiled a plaque commemorating his visit.
In a statement on JCB’s website, its Chairman, Lord Bamford, said: “It is a real honour for us all that that The King has visited JCB to help us celebrate 80 years in business. It was also a great pleasure to show The King the progress we are making with hydrogen powered machines. Today was an occasion that will live long in the memories of everyone who was present.”
JCB received a Royal Warrant from The King earlier this year for manufacturing agricultural and construction equipment. It had previously held a Royal Warrant from Queen Elizabeth II dating back to 1982.
Following his visit to JCB, King Charles headed to Tower Brewery, opened in 2001 and a continuation of the storied history of brewing in its town of Burton-upon-Trent.
Walking behind the bar, the King pulled a glass of ‘Gone for a Burton’ beer and toasted “To your very good health” alongside the brewery owner John Mills. He also tasted a “supercharged” ‘Spirit of Burton’ ale with a 41% proof alcohol content.
Before departing, the King opened the brewing steam hatch, which operates due to gravity and the brewery’s height pulling the water pressure down and feeding the Grist Case.
Burton-upon-Trent has the nickname of the Capital of Brewing, and to make good on its name, The King left with a special pint of ale, a 1902 King’s Ale—named not for the coronation of King Edward VII but to commemorate his visit to Bass Brewers—and several bottles of India Pale Ale; which has become synonymous with Burton-upon-Trent over the centuries.
