Mugshots > Radical Beer Activists > The Prince of Ales

Charles, Prince of Ales Some beer drinking radicals are a bit less 'common' than others. His Royal Highness, Charles, the Prince of Wales, is not only heir to the throne of the British Empire, he also sells his own brand of organic ale! I don't know how much of it he drinks himself, but he got those ruddy cheeks somehow. The Prince markets an entire range of organic goodies, called Duchy Originals. The line includes everything from bacon to biscuits, and chocolates to cornish pasties. Duchy Originals Organic Ale, which is also vegetarian, is a traditional British ale with a rich caramel flavor and fruity aroma, and was first launched at a Highgrove reception for the 'Pub is the Hub' Iinitiative.

The hops and barley are grown on the 'Home Farm at Highgrove.' That's the hifalutin name for the Prince's royal digs. The Highgrove barley is an old variety called Plumage Archer, first grown in the early 1900's and the first ever bred specifically for commercial malting use. It has been revived on a small scale at the Home Farm thanks to a Cambridgeshire grain merchant, Gowlett Grains, who takes an interest in finding small commercial markets for heritage varieties in order to protect their survival. The hops, First Gold and Target, come from England's two organic hop growers in Kent and Worcestershire. All profits from the Duchy Original Ale go to the Prince of Wales Charitable Foundation. Among other things, the foundation supports small farmers and other causes that promote traditional country lifestyles. God save the Prince!