Crabbie’s has dashed British astronaut Major Tim Peake’s history-making aspirations by becoming the first ‘ginger’ in space.

Peake will became the first British astronaut to visit the International Space Station when he blasted off on Tuesday (15 December), in a Soyuz TMA-19M from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. However, Peake’s hopes of being the first ginger in space were dashed, said Crabbie’s, when the brand conducted its own launch of Crabbie’s Light in the Welsh borders.

“This space challenge was in true essence of the Crabbie’s Light adventurous spirit and brings a whole new meaning to ‘product launch’,” said Claire Kelly, ‘head of mission control’ at Crabbie’s. “We would like to wish Tim Peake all the best in his space travels, sending our sincere apologies for stealing his thunder by becoming the first true ginger in space.”

Halewood International launched Crabbie’s Light last month in 330ml (rsp: £1.49) and 500ml (rsp: £2.29) bottles. The 2.8% abv drink has half the ginger of standard Crabbie’s, making it more suitable for use in cocktails, the supplier said.

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