Arkell's Brewery is challenging punters to drink at as many pubs as possible to celebrate the Swindon business' 180th anniversary.

The family-run brewery has set up an anniversary ale trail on Cask Marque's free CaskFinder app that offers prizes to customers who drink at 10, 20, 30, 50, or 75 Arkell's pubs across Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Hampshire.

To enter, download the app and register to join the event, then clock up each visit. Those dedicated drinkers who visit all 85 of the qualifying pubs will win the top prize.

Prizes include limited edition 180th anniversary polo shirts, bottled beer, overnight stays, meals out, and a private brewery tour with head brewer Alex Arkell.

Alex Arkell is part of the sixth generation of the Arkell family.

He said: “We’re really excited about this ale trail.

"It celebrates so many things; our milestone anniversary, the Great British pub, and interesting, fresh beers, produced by our local brewery.

"We want people to venture out of their comfort zone, show support and rediscover the charm of authentic pubs and a fresh selection of delicious beers.”

The app allows users to record their visit to the pub, learn about beers and rate the ones they try, and win prizes too. Locate the Cask Marque Certificate of excellence in the pub and scan the QR code to collect scans and win prizes.

Roger Protz is a world-leading beer writer, historian, and real ale campaigner.

He visited Arkell’s Brewery last week to write a piece for the autumn edition of BEER magazine.

He helped with the brewery’s first scan of the ale trail at Arkell’s Strawberry Thief Pub in Swindon.

Roger expressed his best wishes to Arkell's on this landmark anniversary.

He added: “It's brilliant to find a family brewer still producing fine beers and serving them in great town and country pubs.

"I was impressed by the new pub, The Strawberry Thief, with impeccable cask ales and splendid food, including pizzas from an on-site oven. Carry on brewing, Arkell's!”

Arkell's was established in 1843 by John Arkell. It is Swindon’s oldest business, and one of just 29 family breweries left in the UK. 

A range of other special activities are planned for 2023 during the brewery’s 180th year.

These include weekly brewery tours for the public – bookable online at www.arkells.com/tour - and a Big Birthday Bash on September 16 with live music and lots of beers to sample.