Cask sale at Theakston's

Masham-based brewer T&R Theakston is offering drinkers the chance to buy their own cask of Old Peculier ale in the run-up to Christmas.

A limited number of four-and-a-half gallon casks (36 pints) are on offer on a first come, first served basis.

Jonathan Mamby, the master cooper at the brewery, is making just 80 casks for this one-off Christmas offer. Theakston is one of the few brewers in the country that still employs a full-time cooper crafting wooden casks in which its beers mature.

Brewery Director Simon Theakston said: "We are expecting some interest in this unusual opportunity although, because we never done it before, it is very difficult to predict precisely the likely customer response. We hope people will enjoy the novelty of having their wooden cask of Old Peculier over the Christmas and New Year period and appreciate the delicacy of this cask conditioned ale."

The 36 pint casks, which are available for £54.00 plus a returnable deposit on the cask of £50, will be supplied to drinkers with a tap, cradle, pegs and detailed instructions for storage and dispense.