Pub dog: Chalky gets his own beer

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October 9, 2006: Cornish brewer Sharp's has teamed up with celebrity chef Rick Stein, who is also based in the county, to develop a new beer, Chalky's Bite, named after Mr Stein's vivacious terrier.

The brew came about when the chef laid down a challenge Sharp’s head brewer Stuart Howe to create an English beer in a Belgian style, with the character, individuality and quality to stand alongside some of the great Belgium beers.

Nick Baker, managing director of Sharp’s, said: "We are exceptionally proud of Chalky’s Bite, which sets new standards and expectations of what the brewery can achieve and how it develops.

"Working with Rick Stein has enabled us to produce this very different beer which combines English methods and Cornish ingredients in a Belgian style, which will appeal to a wide range of people.

"Sharp’s Brewery has grown rapidly over recent years and the production of Chalky’s Bite is an achievement that stands alongside this year’s awards at the Great British Beer Festival and our placement in the World Top 50 beers."

With subtle flavouring from wild Cornish fennel, Cornish malted barley and a delicate balance of three different hops, Chalky’s Bite is ideal as an aperitif or with a main meal, particularly seafood.

Rick Stein said: "There are so many elements of this beer that really impress me. The Belgium style brings the subtle fennel and hop flavours to the fore, yet the beer is also distinctively English and very much a product of Sharp’s Brewery.

‘Working on this project with Sharp’s Brewery’s head brewer, Stuart Howe, has reinforced my belief in the abundant and highly-skilled talent that exists here in the UK.

"Stuart’s genuine passion, knowledge and ingenuity for the art of brewing was one of the main reasons that this partnership worked so well."

Chalky’s Bite has a long natural brewing and maturation process which lasts over three months allowing the beer to develop a high level of carbonation, a strong alcohol base at 6.8%, its own distinctive flavour and light golden colour.

Stuart Howe said: "The chance to work with Rick Stein was a fantastic opportunity and has produced a great beer which all my team are rightfully proud of.

"With Chalky’s Bite I was very keen to combine a number or techniques and ingredients that not only utilised my skills but reflected the Cornish location of the brewery as well as traditional brewing methods.

"Through working with Rick Stein and his organisation in this way it was possible to form a new and exciting product that could have only existed from the coming together of complementary talents, skills and beliefs."