The family of a popular former Derby newsagent are hoping that city drinkers will join them in raising a glass to his memory after they launched a craft ale in his name.
Walter Stone, who was a familiar face behind the counter of his shop, W&W Stone Newsagents in Edmund Road, Spondon, but sadly passed away last year, has been commemorated with the launch of Walter, a 4.8% IPA session beer that goes on sale tomorrow (June 26).
The pale ale has been brewed by Derby Brewing Company as part of its collaboration with city fashion designer Karl Shaw, whose label Mr Shaw has produced a range of clothing called the Hop Drop Collection for the brewery.
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From left, fashion designer Karl Shaw from Derby’s Mr Shaw, Paul Harris, managing director of Derby Brewing Company and Karl’s wife, Emma Shaw, raise a can of Walter’s ale, which has been named after Emma’s dad, who died last year.
Karl is married to Walter’s daughter, Emma, and was offered the chance to create and name a beer in return as part of the deal.
The natural choice would have been to name it after Mr Shaw, but instead he chose to pay tribute to Walter, who sadly passed away in the Derby City Hospital in April 2020 after a short battle with cancer.
Walter ran his newsagent alongside his wife, Winifred, for 17 years before selling the shop in 2003. He then dedicated his time to help others by working as a part-time porter and then health care assistant in theatre at Ilkeston Community Hospital before retiring in 2012.
He was also the chairman of the Highfield Lane Allotments in Chaddesden before stepping down in 2019, as well as a valued member of St Alban’s Catholic Church in nearby Roe Farm Lane and the Derby District OddFellows.
Walter’s beer is described as a tropical Indian Pale Ale made with real fruit extract with mango flavours and a strong hoppy finish.
It will be available in cans at Derby Brewing Company’s city pubs as well as online and Karl, Emma and the rest of the family are hoping that drinkers will snap up a can or two in honour of a much-loved community figure and a devoted husband, dad and granddad.
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Walter Stone (with his wife Winifred), who inspired his son-in-law, Derby fashion designer Karl Shaw, to name a fruity craft IPA brewed by Derby Brewing Company after him.
Karl said: “I knew Walter for many years and he made me so welcome in his family that although it’s a bit unusual, I felt straight away that it was fitting to name the beer after him.
“Sadly, Walter passed away in hospital at the beginning of the Covid pandemic, when none of us were able to go in and see him, so we had to say our goodbyes on FaceTime. It was incredibly heart-breaking for everyone, while the numbers at his funeral were limited too.
“That’s a huge part of the reason why I wanted to name this beer after him, because it’s a chance for us, and everyone, to make up for the send-off that we weren’t able to give him, with a beer in his name that I’m sure he would have enjoyed as well.”
Emma added: “It’s been an incredibly emotional time, made much worse by the pandemic.
“My dad was an extremely popular man and very much loved and we haven’t had a chance to celebrate that. He made people feel so welcome and comfortable and always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye.
“The launch of this beer is just the beginning of the celebrations of dad’s life and hopefully will evoke lots of lovely memories of dad from all who knew him.”
Mr Shaw’s Hop Drop collection features two T-shirts, a hoodie and a crew neck sweat and was launched earlier this year, the first-of-its-kind collaboration.
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Walter’s beer is described as a tropical Indian Pale Ale made with real fruit extract with mango flavours and a strong hoppy finish.
Paul Harris, managing director of Derby Brewing Company, said: “Walter’s ale is a real on-trend style, a pale fruity beer that works well as a summer drink and so is perfect for this time of year.
“We have loved working together with Karl on this very Derby collaboration and were delighted to create a beer in Walter’s memory when Karl suggested it.
“We’re thrilled with the way that Karl has styled our Hop Drop Collection and we hope that drinkers enjoy Walter’s beer as much as we enjoy wearing the clothes.”
Earlier this month Karl, who also runs Derby design agency Silver Birch Creative, unveiled his latest vintage range, called the 75 Collection, which is named after the year of his birth and inspired by the kits worn by Derby County in their second First Division-winning season.
Cans are available either individually (£4 per can) in 6 packs (£22.50) or a case of 12 (£42) and via its website at www.derbybrewing.co.uk plus from all DBC pubs.
