Shropshire brewer Three Tuns is celebrating the 450th anniversary of its home town’s royal charter with a new limited-edition ale.

Just 100 cases of 'Charter' are being brewed, making it a real collector’s ale while still boasting the distinctly smooth, full-body character Three Tuns ales are known for.

With a mild, malty sweetness, hints of toasted nut and a subtle hoppy background, the ale is being billed as “a spirited beer that captures the charm of Bishop’s Castle”, home to Three Tuns’ 17th-Century brewery - the oldest licensed brewery in the UK.

“Our Bishop's Castle heritage is something we’re incredibly proud of,” says Three Tuns commercial director Joshua Ferris. “With the town being home to many of our dedicated staff, it felt organic to mark the 450 years charter celebration with a limited-edition bottled beer.

“The last Charter ale was produced back in the Seventies and we're excited to reinvent the real ale 50 years later for this historic occasion.”

Available exclusively online, stocks of Charter - priced at £36 for a case of 12 bottles - aren’t expected to last long. So the message is, order now to avoid disappointment.

For more information about Three Tuns, and to order from its core range of real ales online, visit www.threetunsbrewery.co.uk