Brewing up tribute to famous dog

Chalky died in January, aged 17

A beer inspired by chef Rick Stein's dog is to be sold across the country.

Chalky's Bite is named after the chef's well-known companion, who died in January aged 17, and will soon be sold in Sainsbury's stores across the UK.

Cornwall-based brewery Sharp's worked with Stein to come up with a beer which would go well with seafood.

The beer was created before Chalky's demise but Joe Keohane, from the brewery, said it now provided a fitting tribute to a "much-loved" dog.

'A wonderful find'

The beer was created when Stein challenged Sharp's head brewer Stuart Howe to create a beer to drink with seafood dishes.

TV Stars: Rick Stein and constant companion Chalky

Mr Howe came up with the brew using wild Cornish fennel, Cornish malted barley and three different hops and Stein says it is an impressive beer which is "distinctively English and very much a product of Sharp's Brewery".

The Rock-based brewery was founded in 1994 and now employs 52 people.

Trish Penn, Sainsbury's beer buyer, said: "I am so excited to offer so many of our customers this unique product, visitors to the South West kept on telling me what a wonderful find it was for them."

Chalky, who died in January, became well-known through his appearances on Stein's television series and a House of Commons motion was even tabled to pay tribute to him.