HAWKSHEAD Brewery is today launching a new low-alcohol beer to meet changing consumer trends.

Lighter Times is described as a full-bodied 0.5% pale ale brewed with speciality malts and American hops, for a full-bodied flavour.

Steve Ricketts, managing director of the Staveley-based company, said it was their "first foray into the expanding low and no-alcohol space".

He said head brewer Matt Clarke and the team had "developed a beer that delivers the taste, flavour and drinkability that consumers know and love about Hawkshead Beers".

Matt added: "I really wanted to produce a beer I would be happy to drink myself; this was certainly a challenge with low-alcohol beer. We have worked really hard to pack as much flavour into this beer as possible and I am really happy with the results."

Lighter Times is being launched today (Thursday) at Leeds International Beer Festival and at Hawkshead's online shop and its Beer Hall in Staveley Mill Yard.

From Monday it will be on sale in shops across the country.

Hawkshead is the official beer sponsor of the 2019 Tour of Britain cycle race. The New Union pub at Stricklandgate, Kendal will be hosting the official Hawkshead hub at the Stage four finish on Tuesday (September 10) and serving free samples of Lighter Times.