A TIPPLE made in honour of The Westmorland Gazette's 200 year anniversary has got off to a roaring start, with pubs already selling out of the drink.

Wezzy Gezzy, a name that was voted for by readers of the Gazette, has proven to be a hit with drinkers.

Phil Walker, who heads up the New Union in Kendal, initially put one cask on of the beer but soon found himself in need of a second.

"It went within 24 hours," Mr Walker said. "And it was liked by all customers in the pub and enjoyed by them."

He put a second nine gallon cask on tap on Tuesday (April 17), giving his regulars a second change to enjoy the beverage.

Gregg Beaman, co-owner of Carnforth's The Snug Micropub, said that the pub's cask of the beer went in just one evening.

"It went really well," he said. "It was really popular, it was lovely. It was one of our fastest sellers last week and it had a nice little little local twist.

"It was lovely really, fresh and really refreshing. It was just the kind of thing that a lot of our customers like."

The Westmorland Gazette has worked in collaboration with Staveley's Hawkshead Brewery to bring the pint to market and editor Andrew Thomas has been pleased to hear how well the drink has gone down.

"It's been fantastic to work with local business Hawskhead Brewery and I'm delighted that so many people are enjoying the Wezzy Gezzy beer," he said. "I've managed to enjoy a pint of it myself and can understand why it's been selling out so quickly!"

Alex Goodall, manager of Grasmere's Tweedies bar said that the drink has been popular with 'tourists and locals'.

"Everyone really enjoyed the beer," he said. "Although a lot of people were asking for pints of 'Weezy Geezy' which I found quite amusing."

The brewery now only has single figures left in cask of the beer, so if anywhere were to want more of the beer they would have to be quick.

Nicky Smith Hawkshead Brewery's Beer Hall manager said: "Wezzy Gezzy has been very popular with both the locals and tourists. The mix of Jester and Citra hops have blended really well making a super refreshing beer at 4 per cent, a great session ale."

Although many of the establishments have sold out of the beer, it looks set to be available at: The Stag Inn at Dufton, The Royal Station at Carnforth, The Royal Hotel at Bolton-le-Sands, The Owls Nest at Bare and the New Union in Kendal.