A BREWERY is bringing out a special beer to toast the Tour de France as the race skirts by East Lancashire next month.

Moorhouse’s have rolled out On Yer Bike to celebrate the historic race hitting these shores for three days, starting on July 5.

The first two stages will take place in Yorkshire, but the race will come within a couple of miles of East Lancashire and Tour fever has gripped the area, with many hotels and bed and breakfasts sold out.

Now people coming to East Lancashire to stay during the race will be able to sample the French biere de garde-style cask ale, created by Burnley brewery Moorhouse’s, who have a number of pubs on the route.

David Grant, managing director, said: “The visit of this world famous race is a terrific event for the north — and a great trading opportunity for publicans, who we wish to support.

“We believe this beer is a perfect match for the summer and the occasion and will appeal both to native ale enthusiasts and foreign visitors alike.”

The beer is described as a blonde tipple with an upfront sweetness from the pale, pilsner and Munich malts, which then leads into to ‘a dry lingering finish’. Floral notes are present from the French Alsace hop Aramis, backed with a hint of lime from the Slovenian Aurora hop.

The beer will be noticeable on bars with a creative French cyclist themed pump clip.

Biere de garde — ‘beer for keeping’ — was originally brewed in winter and stored to refresh farm workers during the summer months.