Waterloo, Wellington, and Hastings!

By Steve the Beermeister

Coming from an Anglo-Irish family, Major General Sir Arthur Wellesley, perhaps better known later as the Duke of Wellington, was born in Dublin in 1769. His family bought him a commission in the British Army in 1787 as he was not that interested in furthering his education after school.

He was Knighted for serving a very successful term in India from 1796 to 1805. When he returned to England he was posted to Hastings on 25 February 1806 in order to take command of a brigade of infantry. His troop was based locally and he stayed at 54 High Street, which was used as his headquarters.

The Swan Inn (which was situated opposite 54 High Street, but now a memorial garden following its destruction from bombing in WW2) was used for a public dinner and dance in his honour, soon after his marriage to Kitty Packenham in Dublin on 10 April 1806. She returned with him to Hastings, where they lived at Hastings House, a Palladian Mansion at the North end of Tackleway. The plot where Hastings House and gardens once stood is now occupied by Old Humphry Avenue.

Wellesley was MP for Rye from 1806 to 1809; he had before sat a couple of terms as MP (for Trim) in the Irish House of Commons in the 18th century, and later became the British Prime Minister in 1828.

This Thursday, 18^th June, is the 200^th anniversary of his famous victory over Napoleon at Waterloo, and Harveys Brewery have brewed a special beer in honour of that achievement, Waterloo Rye IPA (6.1%). British malt, and rye malt from Belgium (where the battle took place) was used in the mash, whilst French bittering hops were used in the copper, and the casks are dry-hopped with British and German hops; France, Britain and Germany being the main protagonists in the battle. I'd like to think rye malt was used with a link to his having been MP for Rye, but I can find no evidence it was, sadly.

Waterloo Rye IPA should be a very interesting drop of ale, which I am looking forward to drinking at the Dolphin Inn, Rock-a-Nore, Hastings, this Thursday, cheers!