ST PETER’S Brewery has launched its new English lager into Suffolk in partnership with the Sutherland House hotel and seafood restaurant in Southwold.

The brewery, based at St Peter’s Hall at St Peter South Elmham, near Bungay, recently introduced the lager alongside its range of traditional English cask-conditioned ales.

Andy Rudd, general manager at Sutherland House, said: “A major emphasis on what we do in the seafood restaurant is local sourcing – local food for local people.

“Last month we introduced an English wine to our list, which is also produced in Suffolk. When we heard about and then tasted the St Peter’s new lager, it fitted perfectly with our sourcing ethos. We are pleased to be the first Suffolk restaurant to stock the lager; I think it is going to be a big seller.”

St Peter’s managing director, Colin Cordy, said: “This is the first time we have created an English lager. Although the brewing process is very similar to the beer, it involves some different ingredients and we have used traditional German lager elements.

“What we have come up with is a very interesting lager that has got some real taste to it, unlike many lagers on the market around the world.

“It seems appropriate that Sutherland House is helping us to launch the lager, as the restaurant represents the very best of British and Suffolk. We are delighted that they are the first stockist of this new product in Suffolk.”

St Peter’s head brewer Mark Slater added: “The new lager is brewed using local barley, traditional hops and extra pale lager malt.

“The result is a full-bodied, tasty lager, which has performed well in consumer taste tests. It is not unusual for an English ale brewer to produce a top quality lager as this has been happening since the middle of the 19th Century.”