Black Country comic Jonny Cole raises a glass to new Sadler's Ales brew

Sadler’s Brewery, based on Conyers Trading Estate, has teamed up with the singer and funnyman Jonny Cole to brew up a brand new ale called Fat Face.

Named after one of the most popular songs in the comedian's repertoire, the new brew will be launched at Sadler’s Brewhouse and Bar, next to Lye Railway Station, on Wednesday May 24 when Jonny will be trying out some brand new material at the venue.

He said: “I played at the brewery a few months ago and it went down a storm. We were having a drink afterwards when it was suggested they could name a beer after me. I said ‘call me tomorrow when you are sober.'

“They did and we said ‘let’s go for it.’ They wanted the beer to be like me, Black Country born and brewed – and a little bit cheeky.”

Ian King, sales director at Sadler's Ales, said: “It’s great to be involved with someone like Jonny who is such a popular Black Country character and to have him associated with our ales is a great coup for us.”

Jonny, from Wednesbury, who has developed a huge fan following around the Dudley borough, is only just back on his feet again after a serious health scare a month ago when he feared he would be out of action for 12 months.

He said: “I got up from my settee and suddenly I was numb from the waist down. I ended up at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham where it was found there was fluid leaking from the discs in my back into my central nervous system.

“Initially they said I would be off my feet for 12 months. I said that would be detrimental to someone who was a stand-up comedian. I don’t think there has been a successful sit-down comic since Dave Allan.

“Thankfully after surgery, it’s fine now and I’m back in business and performing round the Black Country and beyond.”

The Fat Face launch night at Sadler's will be filmed so members of the audience may find themselves on camera.

Tickets can be bought on the night. Admission will include food and a pint of the new ale.