PARLIAMENT made sense and passed worthy legislation for a whole week after enjoying a guest beer from Christow. Politicians suddenly became sensible by fortifying themselves with the delicious taste of Devon in the shape of Black Tor Brewery’s Pride of Dartmoor.

The easy-drinking 4% amber ale proved a hit across the party divide as MPs of all persuasion enjoyed drafts of the thirst-quenching brew.

Their improved powers of debate and direct-hit witticisms during debate ‘in the house’ were perhaps inspired by the occasional sip of the home-spun libation beforehand. And it was all thanks to Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw who sponsored the ‘nectar’ as Westminster’s weekly guest beer.

The wet visitor from Teignbridge found favour and flavour in the Strangers’ Bar in the House of Commons for those minded to wet their whistle in the interests of political advancement.

Head brewer and director Jonathon Crump and his co-director - mother Vivienne Crump -made the journey up to London to share a pint with Mr Bradshaw. The member said afterwards: ‘I’m always keen to support our excellent local ales and ciders. My experience is they go down particularly well with my parliamentary colleagues - and that has certainly been the case with Pride of Dartmoor.’

Jonathon Crump said: ‘We were delighted that Pride of Dartmoor was selected for the Strangers’ Bar and grateful to Ben Bradshaw and the team at the bar for making it happen.

‘We’re very proud of our beers - and this was a great opportunity to spread the word about them and our family run brewery.’ He added: ‘We’d love to think that a pint of our beer may have inspired some of our politicians to dream up ground-breaking new policies, but we are nonetheless delighted that so many MPs enjoyed drinking it.’

Pride of Dartmoor was made available in the Strangers’ Bar as part of a scheme run by the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group and the Society of Independent Brewers, to which Black Tor Brewery belongs.