DRINKERS are unhappy after the brewing of their favourite pint was shifted 65 miles north – which, they say, has altered its taste.

John Smith’s Magnet has been brewed in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, since the late 19th Century and the area’s hard water gave it a distinctive colour and taste.

Global brewers Heineken took over John Smith’s in 2007 and transferred production of the keg bitter to Camerons Brewery, in Hartlepool, in the spring – prompting aficionados to claim it is no longer the same pint.

George Jenkinson, of Darlington, who has supped Magnet all his adult life, said: “I drink in the Three Crowns, in Sun Street, and I see punters constantly taking pints back to the bar. It’s just not the same drop.

“People all over the town are up in arms, Magnet is served around the country but is particularly popular here. People are not happy.”

The Dutch brewing company – which also owns Scottish and Newcastle – caused outrage across the region after it closed Gateshead’s Federation Brewery in May with the loss of 63 jobs and switched production of Newcastle Brown Ale to John Smiths brewery in Tadcaster.

Mr Jenkinson said: “The pub is still waiting on them taking three barrels back but there is a backlog.

“Every pub that serves Magnet has probably put the same call in.”

Heineken last night assured The Northern Echo that it would soon fix the Magnet glitch and said water conditions can be recreated.

Nigel Pollard, of Heinekin, said: “We are sorry to all the drinkers of this popular beer.

One bad batch has been out and we are working to get the next lot better than ever.

“We made the move to Camerons in Hartlepool in the spring and we are confident that this bad batch will not be repeated.

“The brewers at Camerons are very skilled and have the experience and expertise to make this drink as tasty as it has always been.

“A skilled brewer can recreate the minerals and elements within a drink so the differing waters in Hartlepool and Tadcaster should not factor in the pint’s taste or colour.”