Ampersand Brewery in Diss team up with artist Alec Cumming to create beer and raise money for charity

A Diss brewery has created a beer inspired by an artist’s work to promote mental health and raise money for charity.

Ampersand Brewery has teamed up with Alec Cumming and produced a Californian pale ale, called You Can Call Me AL, with the aim of highlighting mental wellbeing at a time of year that some find hard.

Twenty pence from every can sold will be donated to the Campaign Against Living Miserably (Calm), which runs a free, confidential and anonymous helpline to support anyone who is struggling.

Andy Hipwell, who co-owns the brewery with wife Amy, said: “This has been a really exciting project as it made us design a beer around a piece of original artwork, with the aim of capturing the intent and feelings that it portrays.

“This is different to how we would usually create a beer recipe and, hopefully, we have hit the brief.

“At a time of year when the weather can be less than perfect and people sometimes need a lift, we hope the beer will make people think of the warmer days to come, while also raising awareness and much-needed funds for an excellent charity.”

The collaboration with Alec started in the summer after he spent time with the brewing team at the Sawmills Road site and created a piece of unique art, working on the premise that it should evoke warmth, light and fun.

“With this piece of work, I wanted to create something that conveyed a sense of playfulness and vibrancy,” said Alec.

“My wider work comes from memories and moments and this piece should hopefully conjure up the sensation of joy and warmth from the audience’s own memories.”

After seeing the work, the brewing team at Ampersand created a 4.8 per cent pale ale, which is described as having a light base of lager malt, with a refreshing bite of bitterness and a real punch of tropical citrus notes.