BEER from Scotland’s oldest working brewery will be at the heart of a parade in New York City celebrating Scotland.

Belhaven Brewery is the official beer sponsor of the New York Tartan Day Parade.

Beers from the brewery, owned by Greene King, will be available at bars along the parade route, which takes place along the Big Apple’s Sixth Avenue on April 11.

Gordon Muir, brand manager for Belhaven, said: “As the home of Scottish brewing, we are incredibly proud to be sponsoring the Tartan Day Parade.

“We have a large following of loyal Belhaven fans in America and it is great to play a part in an historic event that celebrates our shared culture.

“We are huge supporters of the parade and the way the organisers promote our wonderful country’s heritage on the other side of the pond.

“We are sure New Yorkers will enjoy the beers that we will send them all the way from Dunbar!” Tartan Day began in 1982 under the auspices of the New York Caledonian Club.

The event also spread to Canada before becoming an annual event in the mid-1980s.

The Tartan Day Parade and events throughout the week are overseen by the National Tartan Day New York Committee.

The organisation is a registered charity, comprised of the St Andrews Society of the State of New York, New York Caledonian Club, American-Scottish Foundation and Clan Campbell, which looks to strengthen ties between Scotland and the USA and to celebrate April 6, National Tartan Day, as the official day each year that honours Scots in America.

Alan L Bain, president of the National Tartan Day New York Committee and chairman of the American-Scottish Foundation, added: “Belhaven has long been a great friend and supporter of the parade, and I am delighted that this year they have become the ‘Official Beer of the Tartan Day Parade’.” Councillor John McMillan, East Lothian Council’s spokesman for economic development and tourism, was delighted with the news.

He said: “This is great news that such a well-known, Dunbar-based brand is going to sponsor a major international event.

“The New York Tartan Day Parade is world famous and a celebration of all-things Scottish.

“I’m delighted that Belhaven will be there, bringing East Lothian to a global audience.

“It is a great way to mark Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink too!” It’s not the first link between the brewery, which dates back to 1719, and the USA, though.

Last year, Belhaven Brewery helped created Wilderness Ale, as a nod to Dunbar-born John Muir.

The ale was the brainchild of Russell Sharp, who previously went climbing with a group of Americans, who mentioned Muir Wall in Yosemite Park.

World-famous naturalist Muir was one of the driving forces behind the creation of the national park system in the USA.

Sugarpine Brewing Co, named after Muir’s favourite tree, the Sugar Pine, was set up to create and market the special ale.