SELF-confessed beer fan William Hague, who is stepping down as an MP in May, has been given a refreshingly different leaving present.

Richmond Conservative Association has commissioned the North York Moors-based North Yorkshire Brewery to create a beer to reflect his character with spring water from the Cleveland hills and English malt and hops.

Brewer George Tinsley, a fan of the former Foreign Secretary, said the 4.4 per cent Smooth Hague porter-style beer was well-balanced and mellow, like Mr Hague.

Bottled conditioned to retain all subtle chocolate flavours associated with premium quality dark malts, bottles of the brew feature a cartoon of the Richmond MP of 26 years with a shiny, over-sized head.

After tasting the beer at a Conservative Party quiz in Northallerton, Mr Hague told Mr Tinsley he "loved it", and asked for more bottles.

He announced the beer's launch in the House of Commons - where it will be offered in the bars - after admitting embarrassment as MPs lavished praise upon him during his final session of questions as a Government minister.

Mr Hague said: “I am beginning to think I have died.”

The outgoing House of Commons leader insisted the compliments from his parliamentary colleagues would not persuade him to stay, although MPs suggested Mr Hague could be in line for a peerage to extend his political career.

Speaking about the brew, Mr Hague said: “I am extremely impressed by this beer named in my honour.

"The North Yorkshire Brewery have done a fantastic job as always and I hope many people will take the opportunity of enjoying this fine beer.”

Members of the association said they commissioned the brew knowing Mr Hague was partial to the tipple.

In 2000, while leader of the Conservative Party, Mr Hague admitted to drinking up to 14 pints of beer a day as a teenager while delivering drinks to working men's clubs for his father's business.

At the time, he said: "You worked so hard you didn't feel you'd drunk pints by four o'clock, you used to sweat so much."

Mr Tinsley, who has run the brewery for 26 years, said Conservative clubs from across the country were clamouring for Smooth Hague, which will also be available in casks.

He said he felt honoured to be given the task of creating the beer, which he hoped supermarkets would stock and said it would be available at pubs across North Yorkshire and the North-East from next week.