Parliamentarians will be able to enjoy three ales from Norfolk and Suffolk in the coming weeks as Norwich's City of Ale festival looks to broaden its horizons.

As news of the city-wide festival spreads further afield, the Strangers' Bar in the Palace of Westminster has lined up the three local ales for MPs and their guests to enjoy between April and June this year.

The selection process for guest ales in the Strangers' Bar is an unusual one - they must be requested by the MP in whose constituency the brewery resides.

Hence, Lacons Legacy, a refreshing blonde ale, has been requested by Brandon Lewis, MP for Great Yarmouth and Community Pubs Minister.

Legacy arrives at the Strangers' Bar as the House returns after the Easter recess and Lacons are also sponsoring this year's Norwich City of Ale Launch Party at Dragon Hall.

In early June, City of Ale organisers have been invited to present the background to the successful festival to the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group. They have been promised a visit to the Strangers' Bar afterwards and timed to be on tap will be Norfolk Brewhouse's Moon Gazer ale, a well-hopped ale with a citrus character.

Andrew Griffiths MP, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, said: 'MPs are delighted to be able to pay tribute to the wonderful beers coming from the UK's 1,300 breweries. Being on show in the Strangers' Bar gives beers some well-deserved exposure and opens our eyes in Parliament to the fabulous range of beers available in Britain today.

'We are very much looking forward to hearing all about the Norwich City of Ale festival and to sampling the local brews.'

Norfolk Brewhouse's David Holliday, who runs the Hindringham brewery with his wife Rachel, said: 'We are really chuffed. It's a great honour to fly the flag for Norfolk breweries in Parliament. We are really grateful to our north Norfolk MP Norman Lamb and the City of Ale for making this possible.'

Norfolk Brewhouse is producing a special strong golden ale to support City of Ale's chosen charity for 2014, the Eastern Daily Press Flood Appeal, and will be donating 20p for each pint sold.

Finally Green Jack's Golden Best, a pale hoppy session ale, will be on the Strangers' Bar pumps in June completing a hat-trick of beers from City of Ale brewers. The Lowestoft-based brewery's beer was requested by the MP for Waveney, Peter Aldous.

Dawn Leeder, co-chairmain of City of Ale, which is from May 22 to June 1, said: 'It's great to see local MPs really getting behind their brewers and supporting their fantastic produce. It's good news stories like these that help us promote City of Ale not just locally, but nationally too, and having the beers available in Parliament is a sure way to bring the City of Ale to the attention of a most influential audience.'

Do you have a story about a pub? Contact reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk