Colin Allin was shot in Nicaragua June 13. . (Submitted)

A Halifax microbrewery has created a special beer to honour a colleague who was shot and killed in Nicaragua.

Colin Allin had worked for the Garrison Brewing Company for 10 years as a graphic artist.

"We loved the guy," said company founder Brian Titus. "He added a whole different perspective. If I thought of something, he could take it to the next level."

Allin — who was from Goderich, Ont. — continued to create graphics for Garrison after he moved to Nicaragua.

But on June 13 — while he himself was drinking a beer — his life there took a terrible turn.

"He sat down with a cerveza and watched game six of the Stanley Cup," Titus told CBC News. "Half-way through that game, somebody walked up to him, blew a hole in him, and stole his computer and left him to die."

Allin died of an infection in a hospital in Managua a few days ago.

"It's really sad. It's quite tragic," Titus said. "He just turned 40-years-old. Loved by so many. So much talent."

Allin's parents are in Nicaragua trying to bring his body back to Canada.

As way to honour Allin's, Garrison created a limited edition Belgian IPA. From each bottle, $1 will go towards the costs of bring Allin's body home.

The brewery is also funding an award at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Allin's memory.

"A project like this really makes you feel like you have a way to at least properly say goodbye," Titus said. "You have to have a way to put closure to it."

The beer — described as big, bitter and strong — will be launched in Halifax next week.