Bays launches Crocod-ale

Bays Brewery is introducing another animal-themed ale for the summer in aid of Paignton Zoo Environmental Park.

The Paignton microbrewery is a long-time supporter of the charity and its conservation projects. Since 2013, the partnership has raised over £11,000 to help rhinos, giraffes and gorillas. 

Pete Salmon of Bays Brewery explained: “Bays is very happy to be working with this well-known local charity again – crocodiles are extraordinary animals and more than worthy of going on a Bays label. We’ve called this one Crocod-ale because we needed a snappy name!

“We produced a special ale for The Great Gorillas Project in 2013, one for rhinos in 2014, for giraffes in 2015 and The Great Big Rhinos in 2016. They were all successful, so now we’re doing another – and this time the theme is crocodiles, because this is the Year of the Reptile at Paignton Zoo.”

Brewing and wildlife conservation may seem a world apart, but, the care and dedication invested in the brewing process is comparable to that put into species conservation by zoos. Like animal care, brewing requires patience, awareness, understanding and attention to detail.

Paignton Zoo’s Pippa Craddock: “While we don’t have a specific crocodile project at the moment, the money raised by Crocod-ale go into our general conservation pot.”

The 4.7% ale uses hops from Tucker’s Maltings. Bays will donate 10p per pint and 10p per bottle, while Wetherspoon’s will give £10 per cask (roughly 13p per pint) to Paignton Zoo’s general conservation fund.