A LOCAL brewery is saying cheers to 2004 by brewing a different beer for each month of the year.

The Wye Valley Brewery, in Stoke Lacy, produced a guest beer each month last year but 2004 is the first time a calendar to accompany the beers has been released.

January's beer is Watkins' Triumph, a 4.5 per cent chestnut-coloured beer, brewed to celebrate the life of Hereford photographer, archaeologist, inventor and naturalist Alfred Watkins.

Head brewer Jimmy Swan said: "Historically we have done guest beers quite frequently, but this is the first time we have formalised it and issued a calendar."

Another beer, Mighty Morgan, is being brewed for the first time in 2004 and will be June's drink, celebrating the Morgan Motor Company racing at Le Mans.

Morgan cars has a connection with Stoke Lacy because a clergyman of the village, Rev Preb H G Morgan, was the father of company's founder.

Beers to commemorate St David's Day and St George's Day are being brewed in February and April respectively. March brings O'er the Sticks, a beer brewed for the Chelten-ham Gold Cup.

December's beer is Santa's Delight.

"We brewed it for the first time this Christmas and it's done very well," said Mr Swan.

The brewery, which owns Bromyard's Rose and Lion pub, is celebrating the seasons as well as the months of the year with four Dorothy Goodbody beers - Winter Tipple is currently being brewed and Springtime Ale is available from March 21.

The calendars are available from the brewery's shop in Stoke Lacy.