1988 Richard Everard, nephew of Tony, became chairman. He confirmed that Everards would remain an independent family business and in 1997 it repurchased its remaining preference shares to become a private business again. The company also invested in budget hotels, named 'Original Inns' based around existing pubs. In February 1999, the company celebrated its first 150 years with a visit from Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Celebrations, perhaps as befitting a brewery, "continued throughout the year," and included the pubs. The 'Founders day' saw Richard Everard presented with a bronze figure of a tiger sculpted by Mark Coreth. In 2002, the company decided to switch its portfolio from a mixture of tenancies and managed houses to tenancies only. This led to new pubs replacing hotels and the estate achieved its highest total of 165 by 2005. Beers Everards brews four core brands (listed below) and a range of seasonal ales which in 2008-9 included Equinox (September), Sleighbell (December), Pitch Black (February) and Sly Fox (March / April). Beacon (3.8%) A lighter product than Tiger, named after Beacon Hill, Leicestershire and launched in the early 1970s. Tiger (4.2%) First produced in 1972 named for the nickname of the Leicestershire Regiment. Originally known as Best Bitter. The company also adopted the tiger as its logo and will sponsor the Leicester Tigers rugby club until 2018. Original (5.2%) Formerly Old Original, an old ale first produced in 1978 and the first Everards beer advertised on television. In 2022 this was again being marketed as Old Original. Sunchaser (4.0%) References External links Everards Brewery Everards Win Pub Company of the Year 2008 RateBeer Tower breweries Manufacturing companies based in Leicester Food and drink companies established in 1849 1849 establishments in England Privately held companies of the United Kingdom Breweries in England British companies established in 1849