Stroud Life beer? I'll drink to that

STROUD Life has become the first newspaper in the country to launch a beer in its own name.

We have teamed up with Stroud Brewery boss Greg Pilley to design the new ale as the symbol of our new Save the Local campaign.

Its aims to throw struggling publicans a lifeline by encourage more people to visit their local.

While the campaign proper does not start until April Stroud Life decided to celebrate its second birthday this week with the launch of the beer at the Clothier's Arms in Bath Road, Stroud.

And we invited along Stroud's five parliamentary candidates to get cross-party support for the campaign.

Local representatives from the Campaign for Real Ale and several publicans were also there to give the new 4% beer the taste test.

Andy Burstow, Stroud and Stonehouse Camra's head ale conner, said: "It is very good. For a 4% beer it has plenty of flavour and it goes down well."

Clothier's landlord Harry Counsell, was proud to see the first pint of Stroud Life pulled in his pub. He said: "It's on sale as of now and we're pleased to be the first pub to have it."

Whitminster Inn owner John McGoldrick is looking forward to selling Stroud Life beer. He said: "A lot of people are going to like it. It's a nice, smooth brew."

Stroud Life is a light, malty, amber ale with a zesty hop aroma. Brewed using First Gold hops, it is a well-balanced and full-bodied session beer.

As well as the Clothier's, it is on sale at Egypt Mill in Nailsworth and The Crown in Frampton Mansell.