Ten limited-edition draught ales from America and Germany are being made available from James Clay in time for Christmas.
The craft-beer selection comprises five variants from the Colorado-based Flying Dog brewery, including the 5.5% abv Flying Dog, 7% abv Colorado Snake Dog IPA, Old Scratch Amber ( 5.5% abv), K-9 Winter Ale (6.4% abv) and 11.5% abv Double Dog Double Pale Ale.
From Germany there will be Schlenkerla Rauchbier, a 5.1% abv smoked beer from Bamberg, and Früh Kölsch, a 4.8% abv delicate lager-style ale from Cologne.
Other offerings available from the specialist beer importer include three wheat beers from the Kelheim-based Schneider Weisse brewery, including Eisbock (12% abv), Hopfen Weisse (8.2% abv) and the 8% abv Aventinus.
"This initiative has been sparked by licensees who are asking us for an inspiring, ever-changing range of speciality premium craft beers," said James Clay's Nigel Stevenson. "
"Our first limited-edition selection has nearly sold out. This shows that licensees are defying the credit crunch and tackling drinkers' demands for more interesting flavourful beers."