NEWS OF THE BREWS

Acorn Brewery

Yorkshire's Acorn Brewery has announced details of the single-hopped US ales it will be showcasing throughout 2008.

Introduced in January with the release of Amarillo IPA and followed up this month by Mount Hood, Acorn owner and head brewer Dave Hughes said the brews have already attracted widespread attention from both licensees and beer-drinkers.

Brews to come include Cluster in March, Chinook in May and Palisade, due in June. Pump clips for the 5% abv brews have been colour-coded with an eye-catching design that features the Stars and Stripes in the background.

In just four years since it began brewing in Wombwell, Acorn has doubled production capacity to 100 barrels a week following a move into a new brewery last November.

Greene King

A former best-selling Greene King seasonal ale suitable for cold winter nights has made a brief return.

Available until the end of the month, Fireside is a 4.5% abv

full-bodied and mature English ale, late-hopped to give it a mellow, fruity flavour, said the brewer.

Greene King head brewer John Bexon said: "Fireside is robust and

dark - almost ruby in colour -

with a refreshing taste and malty overtones.

"It is already proving a hit with real-ale lovers looking for a new winter tipple and we are pleased to offer drinkers even more choice."

Fireside is the first of a series of seasonal ales that Greene King will be rolling out throughout the year.

JW Lees

JW Lees is to launch two Spring-themed

cask ales next month - the first in a range of seasonal and special- occasion beers to appear in 2008.

Spring Cheer is a 4.1% abv pale ale, brewed with a high percentage of wheat malt to give a smooth nutty flavour.

Kicking off the special occasion range is Dragon's Fire, a 4.0% abv rich amber beer launched to celebrate St David's Day and the Easter bank holidays. The brewer said it has a malty and citrus aftertaste.

JW Lees managing director William Lees-Jones said:

"We want to offer pubs variety and exciting new beers that will keep customers returning."

Spring Cheer will be available from March to May and Dragon's Fire will be offered during March.

JW Lees suggests serving both the ales in its Grip Glass.