A MICRO-BREWERY in York has produced one of its most special ales yet, just in time for the city’s biggest ever beer festival.

Treboom Brewery, at Shipton-by- Beningborough, is producing First Draft using fresh green hops, instead of the kiln-dried whole hops usually used.

Head brewer John Lewis travelled to Pridewood Farm in Herefordshire to personally collect the hops.

He said: “This is a true seasonal beer. The window of opportunity is very small as the hops need to used within 24 hours of harvesting to capture the fresh flavours.”

Because of the speed needed between picking the hops and brewing the beer, First Draft will be limited to only 30 casks, and the first barrel will be tapped at the York Beer and Cider Festival on Knavesmire this week.

The beer will subsequently be available at various city pubs, including The Habit, The Swan, The Phoenix, The Maltings, The Waggon & Horses, Meltons Too, Brigantes, The Dawnay Arms at Newton-on-Ouse and the Crown Inn at Roecliffe.

John said: “We are particularly excited about making this beer. It’s a celebration of the UK hop harvest.”

Green hop beers have a distinct aroma and taste and more of the hop oils get into the beer than with dried hops, giving a distinctive freshness. Each year’s brew of the beer will be unique, in a similar way to the distinctive vintages of Beaujolais Nouveau enjoyed by wine lovers.

The York Beer and Cider Festival runs on Knavesmire from September 19 to 22.