VISITORS to Bulwell are to be given a new taste of the town – with a specially-brewed beer.

Magpie Brewery has made the ale especially for the William Peverel, in Main Street, and the name of the beer will be chosen by drinkers at the pub.

The launch of the new beer will coincide with the town's first beer festival, to be held by the Wetherspoon-run pub from February 18 to 24.

Team leader Kurt Hatton has organised the festival and competition to name the beer.

"When a lot of the pubs shut down, the real ale scene went away in Bulwell so we are trying to push it back and reintroduce it," he said.

"Wetherspoon holds a lot of beer festivals and we're always keen to get local ales into the pub and support local business.

"People can come down during the beer festival and they'll be able to sample different beers, meet the brewers and just try something a bit different to the lagers they normally drink."

The beer brewed for Bulwell is described as being smoky and spicy with a full, fruity aftertaste.

Visitors to the festival will be able to try the Bulwell brew and other real ales.

A local Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) member, who did not wish to give his name, said the beer festival was a great idea.

"CAMRA always used to refer to Bulwell as a real ale desert, so for Bulwell to have a real ale is unusual," he said. "I'm a big fan of beer festivals; most encourage people to try things they don't normally try so for this place to be opening Bulwell up to real ales is a good thing."

As well as sampling different types of beer, the festival will include a Meet The Brewer night.

Bob Douglas from Magpie Brewery will be in the bar on Monday, February 20 from 6pm talking about what goes into beer, the brewing techniques used and the history of the brewery, which is based in Meadow Lane.

Paul Oliver, 58, from Bestwood village often visits The William Peverel.

He said. "Bulwell getting its own beer is brilliant. I think the festival will get the community together for a change. It's a really good idea."

The Bulwell Beer Festival will take place at The William Peverel, in Main Street, from Saturday, February 18 to Friday, February 24.

To name the new beer, submit an entry at the bar or email p5479@jdwetherspoon.co.uk by February 14.