Gundog Brewery supports Spinger Spaniel Rescue Centre with Christmas ale (VIDEO)

DOG-loving brewers are hoping their new charity ale will ensure a life for springer spaniels long after Christmas has been and gone.

Ashington-based Gundog Brewery’s new Not Just For Christmas Ale will see around 4p from the sale of every pint donated to Northern English Springer Spaniel Rescue, based near Cragside.

Brewery owners Paul and Andrea Johnson, who also run wholesalers Northumbria Real Ales, have 12 dogs themselves – a springer spaniel, a Labrador, three “springadors”, two whippets and five “sprockers” – and said they wanted to help support the good work the group does.

“Far too many people buy dogs and don’t understand what hard work they can be, so want to get rid of them” said Paul. “And I’m sure if I had a big enough garden I’m sure I’d want to take them all in.

“But as we can’t we’re just pleased to be able to support the charity.”

Not Just For Christmas Ale has already been sent out to a number of pubs, including the Three Horse Shoes in High Horton and the General Havelock in Bedlington.

And Paul said he hopes in the coming year to start bottling his other beers, with further donations to NESSR from their sale.