A GROUP of female brewers have worked up a real ale recipe based on a formula that harks back to the early 1500s - when brewing was predominantly women's work.

Tom Potter

A GROUP of female brewers have worked up a real ale recipe based on a formula that harks back to the early 1500s - when brewing was predominantly women's work.

Southwold brewer Adnams is launching its William Godell Celebratory Ale to coincide with the 500th anniversary of the local businessman and landowner's donation of land to the town in 1509.

Celebrations are planned for June 26 to commemorate the day Mr Godell - dubbed “The Father of Southwold” - left Southwold Common to the townspeople.

At the time ale was safer to drink than the polluted water supply, and women, known as “alewives” or “brewsters”, were responsible for producing beer to provide for their families.

Adnams' brewer Belinda Jennings and a team of female volunteers produced the limited edition celebratory brew using a recipe of barley, oats and wheat, with a small amount of modern Nelson Sauvin hops.

The resulting tipple is light, amber-coloured beer with an aroma of tropical fruits and gooseberries.

For the full feature on Adnams' new all-female brew, pick up the EADT on June 13.