THE grandson of the last chairman of the old Shipstone's brewery was among the first to try the re-launched ale.
Patrick Davis said he was "honoured" to be invited to tonight's launch party on the site where Shipstone's used to be brewed.
And he was confident his grandfather James L Shipstone would have been delighted the brand is now back on the market.
"I was very happy when I heard the beer was being brought back," said the University of Nottingham economics student, of Lenton.
"My grandfather passed away a long time ago but he'd be pleased as well.
"But it is great for the whole of Nottingham that such a well-known local brand is being brought back."
Dozens of people sipped the new brew at the launch tonight in the Star Brewery Courtyard, where Shipstone's was originally brewed more than 150 years ago.
The new beer is the work of Nottingham brewery expert Richard Neale and Colin Brown, a former brewer at the original Shipstone's.
They have started small, brewing a bottled ale and selling it through pubs and independent distributors in the region.
Mr Neale said: "I'm very pleased that we have arrived at the launch stage now.
"From here we go on to try to get the brew in as many places as possible. The hard work starts now."
As well as being an exceptionally popular beer, the name was emblazoned across Nottingham Forest's shirts in the late 1980s and early 1990s as club sponsor.
So Alan Fisher decided to dig out an old Forest shirt with the logo on for the occasion.
"I thought 'why not?'" said the 35-year-old of Gedling. "I'm too young to have been able to drink it last time around.
"But it is very exciting that it is now back and being brewed again. It tastes pretty good as well."
Mark Fenson, 38, of Radcliffe-on-Trent, believes the new beer will be a big success.
He said: "Tastes seem to be changing. More young people seem to be moving away from drinker lagers so hopefully Shipstone's can do well.
"It used to be a really big brand around here so to have it back is great for Nottingham."
Richard Swanwick, 36, of Grantham, said: "It isn't my usual drink but it is good that Shipstone's is back."
The beer is being brewed at Belvoir Brewery, in Vale of Belvoir.
Mr Neale, a former employee of global beer giant AB Inbev, bought the rights to the Shipstone's name six years ago and decided 18 months ago to chuck in his corporate job and chase his Shippo's dream.
The first bottle was poured by Post sub editor Sharon Mitchell, 45, who used to pour pints of it while working at the Tavern pub in Keyworth in 1986 and 1987.
She said: "As a Nottingham lass I'm honoured to be pouring the first bottle."
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