WILING away a few hours on a Sunday afternoon in the pub chewing the fat with loved ones is a long standing British tradition.

But not many families use their hobby as inspiration to create a beer recipe that is being enjoyed as far afield as America.

That is the story of Dave Taylor, aged 45, who has been brewing real ale from his home on Manchester Road for 15 years.

His passion turned into international success last year after creating a recipe for mild - dubbed ‘Orfy’s Mild Mannered Ale’.

The ‘classic northern dark mild’ now features in the latest book of best-selling homebrew author Andy Hamilton.

Dave says the inspiration that has seen him published in ‘Brewing Britain - The Quest For The Perfect Pint’ started nearly 30 years ago at the Rope and Anchor pub in Woolston.

He said: “When I was growing up mum would cook the family a Sunday roast.

“I would go to the pub with my dad and granddad and have a few pints of mild, then we would head back for Sunday lunch and fall asleep in a chair.”

The tradition continued through the years with Dave’s brother Chris, aged 43, also joining in.

When Dave decided to start brewing, he got started on mild straight away.

He dedicated the successful recipe to granddad Sam Taylor, who died 20 years ago from cancer.

“I come from the tradition of drinking mild in the pub because of him,” said Dave, who now drinks with dad Jim, wife Jane and dog Ben.

“Mild has been disappearing from pubs which is a real shame.”

So how do you go about making good beer?

“It’s like when you go to a restaurant and see something you like,” said Dave, who recommends The Albion on Battersby Lane for real ale.

“You can start trying to create a similar recipe at home with the flavours that you like.

“It’s the same with beer.

“Mild is low in strength but high in flavour which I think is what I achieved in this recipe.

“It’s a nice accolade when people in America are drinking it.

“I know when I’ve made a good batch of beer - normally it will last for a month, but when it’s a good one it’s gone in a week, because people keep inviting themselves around to have some.”

‘Brewing Britain - The Quest For The Perfect Pint’ is available to buy online.