Charity beer hits the spot

Bays Brewery’s special orangutan-themed beer has raised nearly two thousand pounds for a local conservation charity.

The guest beer, called Orangutan Ale, sold out, raising £1,393 for Paignton Zoo. Along with collecting tins and other fundraising activities, the grand total donated is £1,881,94.

Orangutan Ale, a handsome tawny colour to match its name and the species, was launched in March and was available as a draught beer in selected local pubs until the end of May. The Paignton microbrewery donated 10p for every pint sold.

Pete Salmon from Bays said: “We are delighted to continue our relationship with Paignton Zoo. Since 2013, our partnership has raised over £20,000, with beers themed around rhinos, giraffes, gorillas, crocodiles and elephants. Now we can add this sum, raised in the name of orangutans.”

The beer might now be extinct, and wild orang utans (the only great ape found in Asia) threatened on all sides by indiscriminate deforestation, but the orang utans at Paignton Zoo are thriving, with two nursing mothers - Mali and baby Tatau and Chinta and baby Natalia, plus male Wousan and female Gambira.

Pippa Craddock, Director of Marketing & Development for Paignton Zoo, added: “Thanks again to the whole team at Bays for their continued support. We’re delighted that Bays were able to join forces with us and produce another winning beer. The support that they, and their customers, give us makes a real difference to vital conservation work both at home and overseas.”