A SPECIAL beer has been brewed to mark Bradford artist David Hockney’s 80th birthday and 30 years since a Saltaire landmark started to be transformed by a businessman

Art, Love+Life Ale, which went on sale yesterday, has been created by Saltaire Brewery after being commissioned by Salts Mill. It has been brewed to commemorate the 30th anniversary of businessman Jonathan Silver buying Salts Mill. Mr Silver died from cancer in 1997, but not before he had transformed the mill into retail and commercial units and an art gallery. This included creating the site’s 1853 gallery devoted to Hockney’s work.

The beer, which features Californian hops, also marks Hockney’s 80th birthday on July 9. Hockney was born in the Eccleshill area and attended Bradford College of Art before moving to London to study at the Royal College of Art in 1959.

The new drink also celebrates Leeds-born poet Tony Harrison, who turned 80 in April.

Zoe Silver, of Salts Mill, said: “We’re delighted with our special Art, Love+Life Ale, made just down the road from us at Saltaire Brewery. We hope our customers enjoy it as much as we do.”

Salts Diner staff also enjoyed a tour of the Shipley brewery yesterday as part of the tie-up.

Nick Helliwell, of Saltaire Brewery, said: “We were thrilled when Salts Mill asked us to create an ale just for them.”

The beer is available in Salts Diner in Salts Mill at £4.25 per bottle. Meanwhile, to celebrate Mr Hockney’s milestone, Salts Mill is hosting a free exhibition of his work in Gallery 2 on the second floor. The centrepiece is The Garden, a huge painting he completed at the Saltaire site in the early 2000s. The exhibition runs until October 15.