A Nuneaton brewer is today unveiling an unlikely summer sensation - beer lollies.
The product is the brainchild of Church End brewery, which has devised a major technological breakthrough that for the first time allows beer to be frozen.
Up until now scientists thought it impossible to freeze beer because the freezing point of alcohol is much lower than water - but Stuart Elliott, owner and head brewer of Church End, has overcome this problem.
"It was a case of getting the balance right," he said of his product, which will be marketed under the catch line Real Ale - Real Cool.
"Church End is renowned for its quality real ales and, with summer approaching, I wanted drinkers to enjoy the pleasure of the refreshingly cool taste of our ales on a stick."
He first managed to freeze its 3.4 per cent traditional bitter and then went on to stronger ales, even stout.
Stuart said: "It's proving particularly popular with football and rugby clubs - we're planning Manchester Mild, Birmingham Bitter and Liverpool Lager Lollies - I think we could even colour them to reflect the teams' home strips."
Church End Beer Lollies are currently being tested in selected outlets nationwide, but their locations are a closely guarded secret.
But with the announcement made as early as April, the company hopes to be ready for the warmer months.
