BUDE Rugby Club and Bude Brewery have joined forces to create a beer at the rugby club in memory of former player, Talan Penny.

Talan, who joined the club at the age of 11 and worked his way up to the second team as a tough tackling flanker, passed away in May at the age of just 19 from rhabdomyosarcoma — a rare form of cancer.

A few weeks ago, Bude Brewery mentioned to the rugby club about having their own beer at Bencoolen Meadow and it wasn’t long before Talan’s name came up as club chairman Paul Cholwill explains.

Paul said: “It all came about really when our sponsors, Bude Brewery, said about having our own beer at the club. So we started to think of names and put it out on social media for some name ideas. Then one of the first team players, Tremaine Fry, who was also a good friend of Talan, said to me about naming it after him.

“So I said what a great idea, started to think of some catchy names, and our mini junior chairman, Charlie Bisby, thought of the name Talan’s Tipple.

“So from there I asked if the family were happy for us to run with it — they loved the idea.

“I then spoke to the brewery about the design incorporating a rugby ball and a rescue surf board after Talan’s time with both the rugby club and Surf Life Saving Club. Their design team sorted three different designs and we really liked the latest one and said let’s run with it. Again I asked the family and Talan’s Trust and I also suggested that 10p from every pint sold goes to the trust. So many people have liked and shared it and it’s really gone down very well.”

Talan’s mother, Sarah Penny, said: “Talan’s sister Tegan, and I continue to be amazed at the support given to us by the people of Bude. This beer was out of the blue, but we think Talan would have found it hilarious and a great honour to have one named after him.

“The label is fantastic and Talan would have heartily approved, of that I’m sure!

“I am constantly surprised at the effect Talan had on so many people, one of Talan’s biggest fears, and I guess ours too, was that he would be forgotten in time. I hope he knows that this will never happen and he is talked about everywhere, through the clubs he belonged to, the people he helped and those people he had a joke or two with. From young to older, it genuinely amazes me at the effect he had.

“We miss him.”

Talan’s Tipple is a 4% pale ale and costs £3.50 for non members.

The beer will be available for the first time on Saturday when Bude welcome Plymouth Albion Oaks in the Cornwall and Devon League.