HALE residents are being invited to quaff a host of different beers - all in the name of research.

Organisers of the village's Millennium celebrations want local people to decide which one should be brewed as the area's official ale for the year 2000.

Tasting sessions are being held next month when pub-goers can sample each of the candidates put forward - and vote for their favourite one.

County Durham-based Darwin brewery has agreed to make a special ale to allow revellers in Hale to toast in the next Millennium - and will lay on the ales vying for the honour at tasting sessions.

The 'Hale brew' will roll back the years to the turn of the century, when the village had its own brewery where the local tipple - Siddeley's Purge - was made.

The recreated local beer will probably be called Siddeley's Purge 2000, but Denise Laver of Hale Millennium Partnership says it won't be like the turn of the century one - as the original would not suit tastes today.

She says the idea of brewing Hale's own Millennium beer has caught the imagination of people in the area since SAM revealed the plan in February, adding: "The tasting sessions mean we can open this to everyone and give them a chance to have their say. If all goes to plan we will launch the new beer in October."

Beer tasting sessions will take place at The Railway pub in Hale on Monday, May 10. There will be three sessions from 7pm to 8pm; 8pm to 9pm; and 9pm to 10pm. Tickets at £5 are available from The Railway.

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