Keighley brewery Timothy Taylor is producing a special ale to mark its 150th anniversary.

The Celebration Ale will be available soon in draught at selected pubs and then in bottles from next month.

The launch of the brewing process for the new ale produced quite a stir at Taylor's Knowle Spring base. Assistant brewer Ewan Sneddon "mashed in" under the watchful eye of the whole brewing team, as well as other staff and managing director Charles Dent.

Head brewer Peter Eells said: "It is very rare for us to have all five brewers together at one time but we were all keen to be there for what is in effect the start of the celebrations."

He describes the new ale as a "strong English amber ale with a rich golden colour, robust hoppy aroma and full malty taste".

Mr Dent said: "Timothy Taylor does not as a rule produce one-off brews but 2008 is a special year and we could not let it pass without allowing Peter and his team the opportunity to create this special beer. I'm sure it will prove popular. It will be a true thoroughbred and a little bit hard to get."

Also, the brewery is re-introducing Havercake Ale. The brew proved hugely popular when it was first produced in 2002 to celebrate the tercentenary of the Duke of Wellington Regiment - now the 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment.

Soldiers from the famous regiment were known as the "Havercake Lads". In times gone by havercakes, simple oat pancakes, were the staple diet of many of the Pennine towns from where the soldiers were recruited.

The Havercake Ale will be available in draught at selected pubs from the middle of next month and in bottles from the end of the month.