Hix Oyster Ale

When I first opened the Oyster & Chop House, among the bottled beers I chose to sell Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s and Rick Stein’s beers, as a nod to other West Country foodies and because they are bloody good. I later decided I’d like to do my own beer - ideally a dark ale to drink with oysters. Palmers, my local brewery in Bridport, Dorset, suggested re-branding Tally Ho which has been around since I was legally permitted to drink. It seemed just the kind of ale to offer with oysters, so Hix Oyster Ale was added to our beer selection. It proved so popular with guests that I decided to enter it for a Great Taste Award; to my surprise - like my smoked salmon - it won gold. We’ve also found that the ale works really well for braising beef, so it goes into our Beef and oyster pie, which has become a signature dish at the restaurant.