The friendship between the Northumberland brewery and the Restoring Ratty project which is working to reintroduce water voles into the Kielder area began in 2018 when owners Sam and Red Kellie created a beer called ‘Ratty’ on behalf of Northumberland Wildlife Trust and offered to donate 20p to the project from each bottle sold.

The project team trialled 500 pints at the Bellingham Show in August 2018, sold out in record time and the rest, as they say, is history.

During lockdown, the award winning, family run microbrewery has been busy brewing its cask-conditioned and bottled beer and is offering free home deliveries across Northumberland and Newcastle and by courier across the rest of the UK for a charge.

Speaking about their continued support, Kelly Hollings, Restoring Ratty project officer said: “Sam & Red are true inspirations and totally selfless. They didn’t think twice when we approached them with the suggestion of producing a charity beer to help raise funds for the project and have supported us ever since. They are extremely community minded, and even check a camera trap for us near their home in Redesdale.

“Even during COVID we have been receiving donations to our project from them and we couldn’t be more grateful. At a time when local businesses are suffering it’s vital we all pull together, so come on everybody, raise your spirits with a glass of ‘Ratty’ during lockdown.”

Kelly is keen to hear from anybody with a licence who would be willing to sell bottles of the locally brewed ale on the project’s behalf. She can be contacted at restoringratty@northwt.org.uk or via the Restoring Ratty Facebook page where details of suppliers getting on board are constantly updated.