ALAN Doggart's devotion to real ale is so great that they have named a beer after him.

The Diamond Geezer brew is about to go on sale in pubs nationwide as a 60th birthday tribute to the Poulton man who writes about beers and breweries as well as editing the local newletter for the Camaign for Real Ale.

The beer is the product of the Hart Brewery at the Cartford Hotel, Little Eccleston.

"Al really is a diamond geezer," said John Smith the brewer at Hart.

"He works hard to promote real ale and I know from some of the stuff he writes that he rates my beers highly. It seemed the thing to do to mark his 60th birthday.

"I have made the beer to a new recipe. It is the full-flavoured, well-hopped style that I know he likes. I know he demands high standards in the beers he favours and we have used only the very best malts and hops for this brew.

"If it proves popular with the general public it will join our portfolio of regular beers."

Said Alan, of Carisbrooke Close, Poulton: "I am absolutely delighted with the honour. It is especially pleasing that the beers is being brewed by John Smith and the Hart brewery. He is a master craftsman. I have tasted and wirtten about thousands of beers all over the world and regard the beers brewed by John and the Hart brewery amongst the finest I have ever tasted.

"I am really looking forward to finding out what he has brewed for me."

Hart beers are available at the Cartford Hotel, The Shovels and Wheatsheaf in Blackpool as well as many free houses nationwide.