A RYEDALE brewery has created a new beer inspired by one of Britain’s oldest national trails.

The Helmsley Brewing Company’s Striding the Riding will be promoted as the official beer of the Cleveland Way and its branding will carry the distinctive National Trail acorn symbol. The design for the labels and pump clips will also incorporate the varied scenery found along the Cleveland Way including moorland, coast and dales.

The four per cent pale ale will initially be available on tap from the brewery’s bar in Helmsley, but it is hoped that some of the 40-plus pubs along the route of the Cleveland Way will also serve it to their customers.

A donation from the sale of each cask of Striding the Riding will be made to contribute to the upkeep and promotion of the Cleveland Way and plans for a bottled version are also in the pipeline.

Kyle Boote, who set up Helmsley Brewing Company last year, is planning to walk along the Cleveland Way from Helmsley to the beer festival in Guisborough where Striding the Riding will be launched on Saturday, April 11.

He said: “ Walking on the Cleveland Way is a great stress buster after a busy week brewing.”

The Cleveland Way is Britain’s second oldest National Trail and forms a horseshoe around the North York Moors National Park, starting in Helmsley and finishing 109 miles later on the coast at Filey.

It is well used by walkers who either walk it in its entirety – it takes about nine days – or use part of it to create a shorter circular walk.

Malcolm Hodgson, National Trails officer for the Cleveland Way and Yorkshire Wolds Way, said: “I’m really excited about this venture. I’ve been known to sample a pint or two of real ale in my spare time so when a conversation with Kyle revealed that his hobby was walking, it seemed a perfect match.

“It’s always nice to reward yourself after a good walk and what better way than with a glass of beer inspired by the very route you’ve been enjoying? Not only does Striding the Riding taste great, but you’ll be helping to give something back to the local landscape too.”