A BARMAID hopes to bring merriment to England’s Rugby World Cup campaign with a new brew she created which was inspired by a famous chant.

Pear Tree Inn pint puller Kitty Wright spent last week working at the Hook Norton Brewery to produce her own pale ale.

The 19-year-old got the chance to create it as part of her apprenticeship in food and drink services, which she started at the Pear Tree Inn in August.

The Hook Norton resident’s brew is called Sweet Chariot, inspired by the famous hymn and rugby chant.

She said: “Last month my boss told me I had the chance to make my own brew, and I couldn’t wait to get in there and do it. The beer has a sweet taste. It will be about 3.8 to four per cent alcohol content.

“We decided to call it Sweet Chariot because of the taste, and because the Rugby World Cup is coming up.”

The former Chipping Norton School student had to mash grains into water and create a mash tun, which is then boiled to create the beer.

She said: “It was quite a lot of hard work with the mashing and the cleaning of the equipment, but I really enjoyed the process.”

Miss Wright was guided through the process by master brewers at Hook Norton, who helped her devise a recipe from the beers that she enjoys.

Her brew is now ready and will be served at the Pear Tree Inn between September 24 and October 4.

Landlord of the Hook Norton pub John Bellinger organised the work experience for Miss Wright.

The 61-year-old said: “I wanted Kitty to learn about brewing so she would have a greater appreciation for the process and be more knowledgeable about where the beer comes from.

“As we’re the brewery’s tap we often get asked questions about how beer is made, and Kitty can now tell the customers.”

This is the first apprenticeship the landlord has created and he said that Miss Wright was going “from strength to strength.”

The grandfather-of-six added: “She’s working really hard and learning new things every day. I wanted to set up the apprenticeship to make sure that young and ambitious people like Kitty can be the very best.”

Miss Wright said she might consider going into brewing full time after her apprenticeship.