The first pints of OMG beer were served at The Bricklayers Arms in Stondon Massey today with help from Eric Pickles MP behind the bar.  The Communities & Local Government Secretary, Mr Pickles, was joined by landlord Keith Gardner, Second World War veterans David Whiteman, Don Sheppard and Jonathan Hawkins.  MD Roland Kannor was also on hand to ‘check the condition’ of the brewery’s latest beer along with the Operation Market Garden charity group from The Bricklayers Arms, keen to try the new beer created for them.

“It’s absolutely fantastic.  It’s a very, very drinkable beer.  It’s keeping it’s head which is great for a real ale.  It really tastes lovely,” said Gary Middlehurst, of the OMG group and instigator of the charity challenge planned for September.

Real ale fan and Korean Veteran Jonathan Hawkins from Thundersley added:  “I drink all the ale that I can get my hands on.  OMG has a lovely taste.  It’s superb but I hope I’m not going to be legless by time I’ve finished here today.”

Last week D-Day Veteran Don Sheppard from Basildon was in Normandy for the 70th D-Day anniversary remembrance where he shook hands with HM The Queen and met the Prime Minister.  This week he was at The Bricklayers Arms as a guest of the OMG group.  He said:  “It’s marvellous.  When you get invited to a lovely country village and country pub and these people here are doing things  to fund us veterans I think its fantastic, it really is.  Bye the way the brew is pretty good too.”

Also returned from Normandy remembrance last week was former Paratrooper, Veteran David Whiteman from Laindon who took part in Operation Market Garden.  He said:  “I think they’re (OMG group) doing a marvellous job.  There’s so many of these soldiers who are having bad times.  With events like this going on, collecting money, helps them get through it.”

Eric Pickles MP added:  “It’s a great thing when you compare and contrast what was happening 70 years ago with this great venture of peace, reconciliation and I have to say happiness.

“And it’s great that one of the nation’s, in fact the nation’s, number one micro brewery is contributing.  It’s fantastic.”

The official launch of OMG beer takes place at the brewery tomorrow, Saturday 14th June from 11am.  The OMG group and the old Army truck going with them on their charity challenge, will be at Brentwood Brewery.  Plus there’ll be curry prepared by The Great British Raj takeaway of Ongar Road, Brentwood.  Of course, there’ll be plenty of  Brentwood Beer including the latest, OMG, to sample.  Love Beer, Love Brentwood.