A NEW beer launched this week may help to make the public spending cuts easier to swallow.

Called Neil's Coalition Brew, it has been launched by Stroud's Conservative MP Neil Carmichael to celebrate the historic Tory-Lib Dem government.

Produced by Nailsworth Brewery, it was launched by Mr Carmichael and Lib Dem district and county councillor Dennis Andrewartha, who stood against Mr Carmichael in the general election, at the Village Inn, Nailsworth on Friday.

"Both Dennis and I enjoy a pint of beer and what better way of celebrating the new Coalition Government than by using John Kemp’s microbrewery to launch a local beer which all parties can enjoy," said Mr Carmichael.

"I also hope to get one of John Kemp’s beers into the House of Commons thereby promoting the Nailsworth Brewery specifically and Nailsworth in general."

Neil's Coalition Brew is a light ale with hints of elderflower.

Real ale drinker Ronald Hannan, who attended the launch to secure some bottles for a fundraising raffle for Gloucestershire Chest Fund, which raises money for hospital equipment, said: "It’s a bit bland but it’s good."

Cllr Andrewartha, who represents Cam West on Stroud District Council and Cam and Dursley on Gloucestershire County Council, said: "This is a good beer. I’m pleased we worked together on this, I think the coalition is doing well."

The Village Inn is one of the top 12 pubs in the country according to the Real Ale Pub Guide 2009.

The Crown and Sceptre in Stroud and The Old Spot in Dursley have also expressed an interest in stocking the beer.