A SPECIAL tipple to celebrate The Westmorland Gazette’s 200th anniversary officially goes on sale today (April 5). 

Staveley’s Hawkshead Brewery has been brewing up the ‘Wezzy Gezzy’ pale ale for the past two weeks and it is now ready to be enjoyed by discerning drinkers. 

The beer, of which there is 3,200 litres - equivalent to almost 6,000 pints - has been described by head brewer Matt Clarke as ‘accessible’ with fruity, tropical flavours.

Hawkshead Brewery’s contribution to the Gazette’s 200 year celebration is one of the many things being done to mark the milestone. 

An exhibition - ‘From Wordsworth to the Web: 200 years of The Westmorland Gazette’ - will go on display at the Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry at Kendal, a supplement focusing on the history of the Gazette will come out in May and a picture from the Gazette archives is being posted on its website every day this year.

Editor Andrew Thomas was delighted when Hawkshead Brewery agreed to help mark the momentous year. 

“It’s a real privilege to have worked alongside such a well-loved local business to create the Wezzy Gezzy beer,” he said. “I think it’s fair to say that the whole Gazette team is looking forward to trying the result of Hawkshead Brewery’s efforts!”

The beer will be available at Tweedies Bar in Grasmere, Cuckoo Brow Hotel in Far Sawrey, Three Shires Inn in Langdale, Eagle & Child in Staveley, Hawskhead Brewery’s Beer Hall, The Castle Bar in Cockermouth, The Pheasant Inn in Grange-over-Sands, Prince of Wales and Manor Arms in Broughton-in-Furness, the Sun Inn in Crook, Brown Cow Inn in Dalton-in-Furness, The Square Orange in Keswick, The Snug Micropub in Carnforth, the Station Inn in Oxenholme, Masons Arms in Kendal, The Royal Hotel in Bolton-le-Sands, Marton Arms in Ingleton, Netherfield Cricket Club in Kendal, The Little Bare and The Owls Nest in Bare and The New Union in Kendal. 

“It’s great to see so many local pubs taking Wezzy Gezzy, a light hoppy pale brewed with a mix of Citra and English Jester hop,” said Lou Jennings, sales and admin for Hawkshead Brewery.