AN in-joke at a popular North-East comic has led to the creation of a new beer inspired by a pub regular’s love of whippets.
Collier’s Shivering Whippet has been brewed by Viz cartoonist Alex Collier, 38, from West Rainton, near Durham, with the help of Matthew Booth, who runs a micro-brewery at the Three Horseshoes pub in nearby Leamside.
It came about after Davey Jones, another Viz cartoonist, ran a joke about some real ale drinkers trying a beer called Collier’s Shivering Whippet, in tribute to his friend’s love of the breed.
Mr Collier, who has two whippets, Jim and Fran, and is a regular at the Three Horseshoes, said: “Davey has a regular cartoon after a group of real ale drinkers which is a bit of affectionate satire about people who sit and drink real ale in pubs. He makes up fictional beers and this one was a bit of an in-joke really because he knows I love whippets.
Left, a pump clip designed by Alex Collier, and the Viz cartoon which inspired the creation of the new beer
“It was picked up by Cheers magazine, where Matthew saw it, and he asked if I would like to make a real beer called Collier’s Shivering Whippet.”
Mr Booth, who runs The Working Hand Brewery, which is attached to the Three Horseshoes, which is run by his family, likes to create beers inspired by his regular customers.
Since the brewery opened in 2014, he has made a number of different beers named after local characters and stories.
He said: “It’s something I try to do to get the feeling across that they are important to us.
“It’s to keep the community spirit of the pub and these colloquial tales alive. People love it”
Some of his other locally-inspired brews include Lucky Crown, Dr Kelly’s Sick Note, More Choke Jackie, The Mogul, and Fool on the Stool.
Mr Collier, who also writes for children’s TV, including for shows like Mr Bean, Danger Mouse and Dennis and Gnasher, visited the brewery last week to make the beer and is now waiting for the finished product to arrive in the pub.
Jim, one of Alex Collier's much-loved whippets
He said: “I can’t wait. We’ve always drunk Matthew’s beer because we like to know it’s been made next door and they’re always really nice.
“I was thrilled to be involved with making one. It’s been a real treat. It’s nice this fictional in-joke has become a real beer.”
When it is ready it will go on sale at the pub, with a pump clip designed by Mr Collier.
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