Bushy’s have rebranded their Weisbeer as ’WheeliKonni’, in honour of the well-known TT superfan, Konrad Ammenhauser.

Bushy’s boss, Martin Brunnschweiler, said: ’Everyone knows him as ’WheelieKonni’.

’He’s been a regular visitor to the TT for over 30 years and has become a bit of a celebrity with his amazing jacket covered in enamel badges.

’He’s a real character and I thought I’d give him some recognition for his efforts in promoting the Isle of Man by renaming the German style wheat beer (Weissbier), which have been brewing for over 20 years, in his honour.

’We thought it would be a nice tribute and it’s a popular beer. We put it to him and he was flattered.’

’Konni’, who lives in Germany has even incorporated his TT obsession into the design of his garden.

Martin said: ’If you look at the WheeliKonni label you can see a green shape which is a huge topiary hedge he has made in the shape of a motorcycle at his home.’

Although the wheat for the WheeliKonni beer had to be sourced in the UK as it’s a special malted wheat, Bushy’s does use locally grown ingredients where it can, as Martin went on to explain.

He said: ’We do use a percentage of locally grown barley which Pentti Christian grows for us. We’ll always take as much as he can grow for us. We love the idea of using local.

’The spent barley after the brewing process is collected by a local farmer for his cattle. We’re happy to let whoever wants it make use of it.’

Local brewing is undergoing something of a renaissance on the island with three new microbreweries operating.

Martin said: ’We like to give them a chance to sell their beer in the Rovers and the Bay. But it’s going to be tough for them.’

He says the trade has felt the loss of two TTs especially keenly, but adds that the TT Festival at the Villa ’definitely the plan for next year.’

But he adds that ’WheeliKonni’ won’t have top wait for that to try the beer named after him:

’I don’t think he’ll be making a special trip over to try it but we’ll certainly get some beer over to Germany, to him.’

l WheeliKonni beer is available in the refrigerated section in Shoprite stores for take home sales.