This World famous Reggae group may like to sing about Red, Red Wine but it turns out the boys from UB40  are also partial to a pint or two of real ale.

Assistant Brewer Ethan Kannor couldn’t resist presenting the band with some Brentwood Brew Company refreshment when he met them at The Phoenix FM Studios at The Brentwood Festival yesterday evening.  Ali, Astro and Mickey seemed genuinely pleased at the prospect of trying some bottles of our Summer Virgin, the festival’s most requested Brentwood Beer – after the show, of course.

Astro said:  “I like beer. I’m a CAMRA member and have been for the last 5 or  6 years.  I go to as many festivals as humanly possible.  The best one is always Birmingham Beer Festival – 800 real ales, 200 perries and ciders.  It’s a fantastic night out.”

In recognition of Astro’s obvious enthusiasm for real ale we invited the band to return to Brentwood for a brewery visit and perhaps to brew their own beer.

“You’ll never get rid of us,” said Mickey.

“Can he call it after himself?  How about Astro’s Fantastic?” asked Ali.

Astro added:  “That would be fantastic.”

So the band really does like real ale but enough to change the lyrics to their first number 1 hit of more than thirty years ago?  Would they consider singing Brentwood Beer in place of Red, Red, Wine to the packed crowd at The Brentwood Festival just for the night?  No they said and it’s probably for the best as fans like that iconic tune just the way it is.  But the question did make them chuckle.

UB40’s new album is due out in October – Silhouette.  You can find UB40 on Twitter:  @WeAreUB40

Love Beer, Love Brentwood