Fuller's launches new cask ale

London brewer Fuller's has released a brand new cask ale, called Bengal Lancer.

The ale, which is a 5 per cent ABV traditional India Pale Ale, will be available exclusively in Fuller's pubs throughout February, extending to selected free trade customers as a seasonal beer during March. A 5.3 per cent ABV bottled version will also be released into supermarkets in March.

The beer gets its name from the 19th century cavalry regiment that served on on the North West Frontier, and is inspired by the distinctive flavours that would have been experienced by the India Pale Ale drinkers of the time. It is described as having an assertive bitterness and distinctive hoppiness.

Fuller's head brewer, John Keeling, said: "Our seasonal ales programme is an opportunity for the brewing team at Fuller's to give our customers a taste of something a little different. In crafting this beer, we were inspired by the flavours that brewers working 200 years ago would have tasted in their India Pale Ales and have tried to use ingredients as close to the varieties of the time as we could source."

Managing director of the Fuller's Beer Company, John Roberts, said: "The cask ale market is in great health, and is the only sector of the beer market in growth. We are delighted to be at the very heart of its resurgence.

"Our entire portfolio of ales, including London Pride, ESB, Discovery and Gales HSB, is performing well and Bengal Lancer is a fantastic addition to that range. The launch of this beer follows the huge success of Gales Seafarers Ale in March last year and we have similarly high hopes for this new brand."