Cheers for the first Fairtrade cask ale

As if you needed one, here's another excuse to head down the pub this month - the first Fairtrade cask ales are finally being served.

Organic draught's been standard in some pubs for a while - such as St Peters ale at the Duke of Cambridge - but this is the first time Fairtrade cask ale has been available (the sugar is the Fairtrade ingredient). The two on offer are Fairplay Ale, a cross between a trad ale and a blonde beer by Freeminer Ltd, and a deep mahogany ale from Westerham Brewery dubbed William Wilberforce Freedom Ale.

If you're lucky enough to sup at the Rising Sun pub in the Forest of Dean, you can try Fairplay Ale now. The Wilberforce ale, which commemorates the 200^th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade, will appear in 'pubs, clubs and restaurants in Kent, Surrey, Sussex and South London' from late February and early March.

As if that wasn't enough Fairtrade goodness down your local boozer, the Fairtrade Foundation's also put together a Fairtrade-themed pub quiz. Download it from here [PDF].