ST PATRICK LANDS IN NORTH AMERICA!

Strangford Lough Brewing Company, based at Killyleagh in Northern Ireland, is to produce and market its successful range of beers in North America. The company, famed for its St Patrick's Gold, Best and Ale brands, has signed an agreement with a Vancouver company to market its products in North America. A new company, SLBC North America, based in Vancouver, will spearhead the operation. It will mean Americans and Canadians will be able to raise a glass of St Patrick's Gold ale, from the saint's homeland next March. ???We are very excited by this agreement,??? said Tony Davies, CEO of SLBC. ???We have been looking for a partner in North America for some time and are pleased that we have reached agreement. Our new partners have enormous commercial experience, especially in franchising, which will help SLBC overcome the problems of the exchange rate. Our strategy was always to sell significant quantities of our beer in North America, SLBC North America will make this a reality.??? Strangford Lough Brewing Company is located close to the burial site of St Patrick in Downpatrick, County Down and on the shores of the Strangford Lough conservation area. The company's beers are all named after historical characters associated with this part of Ireland. Magnus Barelegs, a Viking king, is buried on Downpatrick marshes and has two beers named after him, Barelegs Brew and Legbiter, the name of his sword. Approximately two miles from Magnus's grave Saint Patrick is buried. The St Patrick's beers include a very special local ingredient, Shamrock!The Magnus range was launched in May 2004 and the first of the Saint Patrick's beers in September 2004. ???The partnership is at the heart of our business strategy to bring our beers to the Irish markets around the world as soon as possible. By linking with leading breweries around the world we aim to produce traditional beers to the high quality standards we specify,??? Mr Davies said. Strangford Lough Brewing Company's success demonstrates the values of Northern Ireland Naturally.