A BREWING company has launched a new beer in Sussex stores to help homeless people.

Big Hug Brewing’s new beer called Pave The Way Pale Ale has been developed as part of their support for charity partner Only A Pavement Away (OAPA). The charity helps people who are faced with homelessness, such as vulnerable veterans and help ex-offenders find employment.

The beer is being stocked alongside Big Hug Brewing’s other products such as their Juicy Pale and White IPA Beers in 29 Sussex Co-ops including Brighton and Hove. Other places where people can purchase the beer are in off-licences including Southover Wines in Brighton, Wine Barrell in Hove and Palate in Shoreham.

A proportion of the sales will go towards the OAPA. Big Hug Brewing hope to raise £5,000 for the charity, with 10p from every can sale going to OAPA. The funds are going to be used for the charities campaign Hospitality Against Homelessness.

Greg Mangham, the charity’s co-founder said: “This is a fantastic initiative, and it is exciting to see Pave the Way now on shelves.”

“Our goal for 2021, is to place a further 250 vulnerable people who have faced, experienced or been at risk of homelessness, into long term stable employment within hospitality. Working with Big Hug Brewing will really help us make a difference.”

The Argus: Money from sales of Pave The Way will go to Only a Pavement away.Money from sales of Pave The Way will go to Only a Pavement away.

It is not the first time Matt Williams, 43, founder of Big Hug Brewing, has started an initiative like this. Three years ago Williams launched the initiative ‘Hugs4Snugs’, but he is excited about the new beer and how it will help.

Williams, who lives in Brighton said: “The funds raised will help provide vital financial support to help people on the OAPA employment scheme with rent, travel and essential living expenses as they make their transition into independent living.”

“Securing the listing for Pave The Way in Co-ops around Sussex will be a massive step towards the fundraising target and it’s great to be able to align with a business that has a strong social ethos.”

Big Hug Brewing work with selected brewing partners to help produce its beers, rather than having a home brewery of their own. The new beer, Pave The Way Pale Ale, has an alcohol level of 4.6 per cent and is available in 330ml cans. The can features an illustration of a member of the OAPA scheme in slight superhero stance, empowered by his new job and the opportunities created by OAPA.