Steve Wallace, the head of beer, spirit and tobacco buying at Waitrose, sampled two bottles of Beachy Head Original Ale on a trip to Sussex before Christmas and loved it.

He got in touch with brewery owner Charlie Davies-Gilbert at the Beachy Head Brewery to discuss supplying the ale to Waitrose.

"I think Steve was surprised at how small the brewery is," said Mr Davies-Gilbert, "but our customers wanted us to supply the Waitrose stores in Eastbourne and Hailsham.

"At the brewery we say 'a day without beer is a day without sunshine' and with Waitrose's help we hope to make it more convenient for our customers to enjoy a bottle of Original Ale and bring a little sunshine into their day."

Waitrose is now selling Beachy Head Original Ale in its branches in Eastbourne and Hailsham.

The ale is also sold locally in bottles through the post offices in East Dean, Alfriston and Berwick, but also through the Hikers Rest tea room in East Dean, Cooden Cellars, Eastbourne and at Middle Farm.

It can also be found in the Crossways and Silverdale Hotels.

A new brew is being developed exclusively for St Wilfrid's Hospice to help celebrate its 25th anniversary.

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