A BASINGSTOKE brewery welcomed dozens of special guests, including a rock star, at the launch of an anniversary ale.

Longdog Brewery, on the Moniton Trading Estate, was chosen to create a beer to celebrate the fact it has been 30 years since a Monster Raving Loony Party candidate first stood for election.

At the brewery launch of the “Winning Co-Ale-ition” beer, Pete Staples, bass guitarist with The Troggs, joined Alan Hope, leader of the Monster Raving Loony Party, and other special guests to toast the success of the party and launch of the beer.

The drink was supplied by Phil Robins, who single-handedly runs the brewery, after he was approached about the idea by Mr Hope when the pair met at a Winchester pub.

At the launch, which was attended by around 40 guests, event organiser Derrill Carr, of the Campaign for Real Ale, spoke about the hard work all involved had put in to making sure the beer had been produced in time for the political party’s annual conference at the end of September.

He said: “Alan Hope and myself visited the Longdog brewery and sampled all of the ales Phil brewed.”

He added that Winning Co-Ale-ition is an “excellent fit - a very popular bitter with a great colour and taste which is not too strong.”

Mr Hope entertained the crowd with his tales of past triumphs and spoke about many of the party’s policies which include making the M25 for cyclist-only, introducing a 99p coin and reducing class sizes by making children sit closer together.

A charity collection for Clic Sargent held at the event raised £110.

Winning Co-Ale-ition can be ordered direct by local pubs and clubs from the brewery and it is hoped that the drink will make an appearance in several Basingstoke drinking establishments.

It is already served at in Mr Hope’s local, The Prince Arthur, in Fleet.