A SPECIAL new beer to be brewed to mark The Westmorland Gazette’s 200th anniversary in 2018 will be called Wezzy Gezzy.

The Gazette was first published in May 1818 and to mark the anniversary we are teaming up with award-winning Hawkshead Brewery to create a new ale, which will be on sale at a number of pubs in the area from next April.

The beer will be a modern IPA (India Pale Ale), which will be created by the Staveley brewing experts.

We asked our readers to help us name the beer in a special online poll – and the overwhelming favourite was Wezzy Gezzy, which garnered 66 per cent of the votes cast.

Hawkshead Brewery, based at Staveley Mill Yard, is one of the most successful of the new wave of independent breweries. It has been brewing innovative, modern beers in the Lake District since 2002.

The operation began in an old barn at Hawkshead at the head of Esthwaite Water but outgrew it after four years and built a new brewery at Chadwick’s Mill, the old wood turning mill at Staveley. It later added The Beer Hall so customers could drink its beer where it is brewed.

The company's brands include Windermere Pale, Lakeland Gold and Brodie’s Prime. See http://www.hawksheadbrewery.co.uk/

Thank to everyone who voted in the poll – and we look forward to you all enjoying a pint or two of Wezzy Gezzy come next April!