ARKELL'S Brewery has launched its New Zealand IPA in can-form.

The Stratton family-brewery, which celebrated its 175th anniversary last year, has broken ranks with its long tradition of cask ales.

The New Zealand IPA was made last year to hark back to an important lineage in the family's brewing history.

The first Arkell's son John set up the White Star Brewery in Caversham, the island's south side, followed by three more in the 1860s.

Master brewer Alex Arkell made it in May 2018 after he travelled to New Zealand last year to retrace the family connection.

“It’s fantastic to see how Pioneer has become a firm favourite amongst our customers, so it was a logical next step for us to launch a canned version," he said.

"It was inspired by a trip halfway around the world which revealed an unexpectedly rich family brewing heritage in New Zealand.

"I returned home from New Zealand armed with hand-selected hops to brew a special beer celebrating Arkell’s heritage and New Zealand."

The Arkell family own nearly 100 pubs across Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Hampshire.