Cheers to Leicester legend PC John ‘TUBBY’ Stephens

Leicestershire Police is pleased to have worked with local brewery Everards on their latest beer release, which commemorates a Leicester legend.

PC 83, John “Tubby” Stephens served for 22 years with Leicester Borough Police and was a very well-known character in the city. He is believed to be the inspiration behind the song ‘The Laughing Policeman’ due to his witty, jovial and good humoured nature.

John William "Tubby" Stephens knew everyone, and everyone knew him. Always fond of a supping an ale, the story goes that the inspector caught him red handed at a city centre pub in Leicester whist on duty. Realising he could get into trouble, Tubby quickly turned to his fellow drinker, took hold of him and boomed at the innocent chap "We don't allow that sort of language, so get out and cause no more bother". With a smart salute, Tubby turned to the inspector and said, "nothing to report here sir" before coolly walking out of the pub.

Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police, Simon Cole, said: “Tubby was an iconic Leicestershire police officer who patrolled the clock tower in the late 1800’s into the early 1900’s. He weighed 24 stone and was a famous figure in Leicester.
"People traveling to the city would know about Tubby and seek him out on duty, where he often had a crowd following him around. 10,000 people attended his funeral – he was absolutely legendary and a real popular figure in the city of Leicester.”

5p from every pint of Tubby sold will be donated to the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) charity which supports the families of officers who have died in the line of duty. They ensure that survivors have all the help they need to cope with such tragedies and they remain as part of the police family.

Everards describe the beer as “a dark ale with a rounded character with blackberry and vanilla notes, ideal paired with classic hearty dishes or blackberry and apple crumble served with custard to complement the berry notes”.

TUBBY (4.8% ABV)
To commemorate PC John William Stephens, we bring you 'Tubby'. A dark ale with a rounded character. You'll find inviting layers of blackberry and vanilla and we hope that we've developed a beer Tubby himself would have enjoyed with 5p from every pint sold being donated to the charity COPS (Care of Police Survivors).

Style: Dark ale
Hops: Brewers Gold, Brambling Cross
Malt: Brown

Food match: Roast Beef, Lamb, Game
Cheese: Double Gloucester

This promotion runs until the end of June but may well be released in the future months / years