Tubby’s beer is back on sale in the county

A beer brewed in honour of a police officer who died in 1908 proved so popular it is going back on sale.

Pc John Williams ‘Tubby’ Stephens earned his nickname because he weighed 24 stone and was reputed to be England’s heaviest policeman.

He served for 22 years with Leicester Police Force, fought in the Zulu War in 1879 and is thought to have inspired the song The Laughing Policeman.

Last year, Everards brewed Tubby in his memory and gave 5p from every pint to the charity Cops, which helps the families of police officers who have lost their lives on duty.

Everards said the beer raised £1,800 and decided to rebrew it with the beer going back into pubs this month.

Tubby pin badges, using the pump clip design, will be available in many Everards pubs and local businesses for a minimum donation of £1 for Cops.

Chief Constable Simon Cole said: “Tubby was an iconic Leicestershire police officer who patrolled the Clock Tower in the late 1800s into the early 1900s.

“People travelling to the city would know about Tubby and seek him out on duty, where he often had a crowd following him around. “Ten thousand people attended his funeral – he was legendary.

“The Tubby beer not only helps us tell the story of Tubby but it tastes great, too. We are extremely happy to be supporting Cops once again through the beer and pin badges.”