Ale's well as Status Quo rock into Wolverhampton

The pair, who will back with old bandmates Alan Lancaster and John Coghlan for a show at Wolverhampton Civic Hall tonight called into the Clarendon Hotel in Wolverhampton to launch their new Piledriver Ale.

They were also taken on a tour of Banks's Park Brewery.

The rockers chose the ingredients for the beer, named after the Quo's classic 1972 album, and Rick revealed there was some lively debate been him and Francis when they were choosing the right blend.

"They made us four different samples, I went for number four and Francis went for number one," said Rick.

"Then the official beer taster stepped in to help, and he said the number four was best, so I won.

"Neither of us drink that much beer, and it went to our head a bit when we were trying it for the first time.

The pair said they were thrilled that a panel of beer experts had judged it as better than the rival Trooper beer from 70s heavy metal band Iron Maiden.

Now aged 64, Rick said he was really looking forward to tonight's show, saying it was great to be back with his own bandmates Alan and John.

Piledriver, a traditional malty amber ale produced at the Wychwood Brewery in Witney, Oxfordshire – part of the Wolverhampton-based Marston's group –will be sold in pubs.