Southwold-based brewer Adnams has launched a new beer to celebrate the life of legendary Suffolk composer Benjamin Britten.

The limited edition beer entitled 'Native Britten' has been created to commemorate the centenary of Britten's birth on November 22.

The composer, whose family lived in what would later be renamed Britten House, off Kirkley Cliff Road, in Lowestoft is best-know for opera Peter Grimes and the epic War Requiem.

Adnams said the recently released beer is made solely from ingredients sourced within Suffolk and brewed using first gold hops, local malted barley and wheat, before being finished with a touch of honey and thyme.

Fergus Fitzgerald, head brewer, said: 'Britten is one of the most celebrated British composers of the 20th century. I wasn't over familiar with his work so I started my research by listening to his music, reading a biography and talking at length with Jonathan Reekie, chief executive of Aldeburgh Music. What stood out for me was an exchange between Peter Grimes and Balstrode in Britten's opera Peter Grimes: Peter: 'I am native, rooted here'. Balstrode: 'Rooted to what?' Peter: 'by familiar fields, marsh and sand.'

'These words motivated me to develop a beer using only Suffolk ingredients.

'Thyme is mentioned in Britten's 'Midsummer Night's Dream' so we incorporated that into the recipe too.

'This has been a fascinating project which we hope will be popular at the many Britten events taking place throughout his centenary year. It may also bring Britten to the attention of those not previously familiar with his work.'