News of the brews

February 26, 2006: Skinner's Tresco Tipple (4.2%) is making a comeback. The ale is being relaunched duringcelebration weekend at the Scilly isle’s New Inn on March 4 and 5. The beer, described by brewery managing director Steve Skinner as “a classic quaffing ale”, will reinforce close links between Skinners and the New Inn forged over a number of years. The Tipple’s label, featuring a monk quenching his thirst in an abbey, has been designed by former Tresco artist Jay Wooldridge. The New Inn is one of only 12 pubs in Cornwall listed in the Eating Out in Pubs Michelin Guide. This year it will once again be staging two four-day beer festivals, starting on May 19 and September 8 and attracting devotees from all over the country.

Fuller's Vintage Ale (8.5%) was voted beer of the festival at CAMRA's Woking event, staged in the town's Leisure Centre. Festival organiser Ian Johnson said: "We had 75 different beers at the festival, and over 20,000 pints were drunk in total during the three sessions. We collected votes from the attendees, and Vintage Ale came out as their favourite brew. Many people in this area are familiar with Fuller's beers, so it was great to have a real, unusual treat - such as Vintage Ale in cask - to surprise and delight our visitors."

The Evan Evans brewery, in Llandeilo, Wales, is producing Sais Slayer for the duration of the Six Nations rugby tournament. The 4% beer supports the Welsh team's campaign (or should that be drown their sorrows?).

And there's a last chance to try two Wolverhampton and Dudley seasonals: the Marston's February special, Sweet Chariot (4.8%), a full and fruit flavoured beer; and Jennings' La'al's Cockle Warmer (6.5%), a strong, mellow, ruby-coloured ale.

Indian brewer Khoday claims its new 5% ale, Lady Bird Bio Beer, can cure hangovers. Designed to be drunk the morning after the night before, it has aloe vera as an active ingredient. It will be initially available in Indian restaurants. Wait a minute - if you've had a long, hard session the night before, why would you be submitting yourself to an Indian meal the next day?