Monkey Stout in North East Tescos

May 10, 2008: Hartlepool-based Camerons Brewery has its Monkey Stout (4.4%) in 20 North East Tesco stores from this month.

“The brew has a rich black colour and chocolate aroma," said Camerons marketing director Yousef Doubooni. "The chocolate malts give this stout a roasted taste with an excellent bitter sweet balance."

The beer is named after a famous local tale dating back to the time of the Napoleonic wars. The monkey in question was washed onto the beach after the French ship it was on had sunk off the Hartlepool coast. The animal was, unbelievably, accused of being a French spy and, after a trial, was found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging.