LIVINGSTON-BASED Alechemy Brewery has clinched a major listing with Waitrose.

The upmarket retailer will put the brewer’s speciality stout, Bring Out The Imp, on sale in 70 of its branches across the UK from May 1.

The deal underlines the progress the brewery since it was founded by James Davies, who has a PhD in microbiology, five years ago, after dipping his toes in home-brewing in his late teens.

Since then Alechemy has brewed a total of 80 beers, with its core range supplemented by speciality products.

Bring Out The Imp, which has a strength of 10 per cent alcohol by volume, is described as an imperial stout, brewed with molasses, liquorice and oatmeal.

Mr Davies said: “We’re very proud to be supplying Waitrose because they are a company that share our values and they’re as passionate about taste and provenance as we are ourselves.

“We hope this listing will lead to more awareness, interest and demand in future for our unique, flavoursome beers.”