A Keighley brewery has produced what it claims to be the strongest bottled ale in the country.

The Old Bear Brewery has produced the Duke of Bronte ale - described as "full strength" and weighing in at a staggering 12.5 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV), more than triple the usual strength of about four per cent ABV.

However, far from being targeted at hard-core drinkers, the ale is aimed at beer connoisseurs and aficionados.

The brewers behind the Duke of Bronte say the ale is best enjoyed from a wine-type glass to allow the aroma of the beer to mingle. It should be drunk in small sips in the same manner in which one would consume a fine wine.

Ian Cowling, head brewer at Old Bear Brewery, based on Pitt Street, Keighley, said: "The beer produced in Yorkshire is just as good as French or Italian wine.

"It seems unreal how much coverage wine gets on television; it's rare for beer to be discussed on cookery programmes, so I'd like to think that brews such as Duke of Bronte can help real ale become the new wine.

"It is not for people who want to get drunk. It is for connoisseurs."

From Timothy Taylors to Copper Dragon, the Bradford district has a proud tradition of brewing fine ales. Real ale has enjoyed a renaissance in popularity in recent years, with traditional hand pumps returning to pubs and bars.

The beer's name came from Lord Nelson, who was given the title Duke of Bronte by the King of Naples in return for helping restore him to the throne in 1799.

Bronte is the name of the Italian estate in eastern Sicily close to Mount Etna, which was granted to Nelson by the king.

The famous Bronte name, with its strong connection to Yorkshire, was adopted by the literary sisters' father, Patrick Prunty, who admired the famous admiral and wanted an anglicised name after he arrived from Ireland.

Mr Cowling said: "We racked our brains for ages, looking for a name for our special beer that on one hand would have a good Yorkshire connection, but on the other would be relevant in other parts of the country, and Duke of Bronte fitted the bill perfectly."

The brewery decided to make the ale in response to requests from one of its customers in Derbyshire.

The ale was sold at a beer and music festival and proved such a hit with drinkers that word soon spread among the real ale community of its quality.

The brewery diverted its attention to fine-tuning his creation and will now to sell the ale in 33 centilitre bottles through specialist off-licences.

Mr Cowling added: "I was quite surprised how quickly word spread after we had made the first brew back in March and it soon became apparent that we had hit on something that was worth pursuing."

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