| Tails are wagging at Dogs Trust thanks to the launch of a new British premium ale created by Status Quo and Hobsons Brewery, who will donate 5% of the profits to the UK’s largest dog welfare charity to help dogs in need of new homes.
British rock legends Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt have worked with Hobsons Brewery to craft a traditional chestnut ale, named after the band’s 1971 album ‘Dog of Two Head’. Picked for their credentials and ethos of sourcing the finest British ingredients, Shropshire brewer Hobsons is a leading craft brewer in the region and is taking to the National stage with Status Quo. ‘Dog’ is created by Hobsons from British malting barley, and a blend of UK-grown Fuggles, Challenger, Goldings and Progress hops. The beer in 500ml bottles will be launched this month in selected Spar stores and in cask this summer.
“The team at Hobsons are thrilled to have been chosen to brew an official beer for Status Quo, the quintessential Britishness of the band links in with the credentials of our local hops and British barley we have used to craft this ale, also being able to raise money for Dogs Trust made us certain we were barking up the right tree,” commented Nick Davis, Owner at Hobsons Brewery.
To celebrate the launch, ‘pint’ sized pooches at Dogs Trust’s West London rehoming centre greeted Rick and Francis with licks and wags and enjoyed some cuddles as they were given a tour to learn more about the charity’s work. The band also had fun meeting their ‘doggy doppelgangers’ picked out by Dogs Trust staff.
As dog lovers themselves, owning eight dogs between them, Rick and Francis chose to support Dogs Trust because of the charity’s commitment to care for dogs for as long as it takes to find them a home.
Francis Rossi says: “Dogs Trust is a cracking charity doing brilliant work to help all kinds of dogs. We like that they won’t put a healthy dog to sleep so we wanted to give something back. I have three dogs of my own who enjoy the good life and without being able to adopt any more, for now anyway, this is the next best thing we could do to help.”
Rick Parfitt says: “My wife and I are ‘owned’ by five pint sized dogs – they tend to get whatever they want, whatever they need! They bring us a lot of laughter with their cheeky antics. We sponsor two dogs being cared for by Dogs Trust so Francis and I wanted the sales to help the dogs they look after. We hope the profits go some way to finding more dogs new homes.”
Dogs Trust’s CEO, Adrian Burder, says: “We’re incredibly grateful for this support from Status Quo. Our staff strive to affect the status of dog welfare through campaigning to improve the lives of all dogs, so it’s a privilege to be able to show Francis and Rick the work we do to find dogs loving homes.”
‘Dog of Two Head’ is available, bottled, through selected Spar stores from 18thMay and through Hobsons Brewery www.statusquobeer.co.uk |
