A NEW beer from one of the region’s biggest names in ale is likely to cause a stir among fans – as it can truly be called a brew.

River's Answer, the new seasonal beer from Masham-based T and R Theakston, is as usual made from the finest malted barley and hops.

But this summer ale also includes ingredients not usually associated with a traditional pint – mandarin oranges and smoked Lapsang Souchong china tea.

The North Yorkshire brewery is probably best-known for its Old Peculier and Best Bitter – both of which are exported around the globe.

And its executive director, Simon Theakston said: “Our brewing team’s creative skills are at their finest with this, our latest seasonal ale.

“The light dryness of the china tea mixed with the sweetness of the malt and the fruitiness of the mandarin oranges combines wonderfully. It is a sheer delight to savour."

He added: “Blending Lapsang Souchong tea with hops is a first for us.

“But as consumer interest in experimental beer flavour grows, we are only too pleased to meet that demand, and thus being able to show off the skills of our experienced brewing team to the highest degree.”

The name of the new beer draws on the brewery’s sponsorship of the River Ure Salmon project, an ecological initiative for the re-introduction of wild salmon to the river that flows through Masham.

However, it is not the only reason and Mr Theakston explained: “The additional ingredients that we have used to brew River’s Answer, coincidently, in an oblique way, make reference to a musical connection.

“For a bit of fun we will be using our social network platform to offer our drinkers the chance to win one of four luxury picnics beside the River Ure, for the first four correct answers we receive on the connection.”

The beer is available for the month of June and details of the competition will be revealed on the Facebook Theakston Brewery site and on Twitter @Theakston1827.