An Aire Valley business has created a special brew to mark a royal visit to the area.
The Princess Royal will be in Shipley on Tuesday when she will officially open new facilities at Saltaire Brewery and learn more about family-run business Manor Coating Systems Ltd, which has just celebrated its 75th anniversary.
The companies were selected for the honour from a list drawn-up by the West Yorkshire Lieutenancy.
The Princess Royal is expected to spend around an hour at each firm, after visiting Leeds-based Sports Coach UK and the College of Occupational Therapists, both of which she is a patron.
The Shipley firms’ managing directors said they were delighted to be chosen.
Tony Gartland, from Saltaire Brewery, said: “It’s an acknowledgement of our team’s hard work in turning Saltaire into one of Yorkshire’s leading micro-breweries and, I hope, our place in the local community.
“To mark this very special occasion in the history of the brewery, we’ve brewed a new Celebration Ale to toast The Princess Royal at a special Beer Club on the day.
“This will be a fantastic way for the brewery to start 2014.”
The Princess Royal will be given a tour of the brewery, introduced to the team and officially open the new fermentation facilities.
Patrick Smith, managing director at Manor Coating Systems, based on Otley Road, believes the company was chosen because 2013 marked its 75th year as a family-run firm.
“I was astounded. I was surprised. I was flabbergasted when Kevin from the Lord-Lieutenant’s office contacted me and at one stage, I thought it was a wind-up,” he said.
“We’re very delighted. It’s a great honour.”
The Princess Royal will ge given a tour of the company, which was started by Mr Smith’s grandfather Ray Smith, look at how its paint products are developed and meet staff, clients and suppliers.
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