Southwold brewer Adnams is launching what it claims is the UK's first carbon-neutral beer.The bitter, East Green, has less than 1p-worth of carbon emissions per bottle, which the brewer has pledged to offset.

Southwold brewer Adnams is launching what it claims is the UK's first carbon-neutral beer.

The bitter, East Green, has less than 1p-worth of carbon emissions per bottle, which the brewer has pledged to offset.

It will be produced at a new eco-friendly brewery which recycles steam created during the brewing process and uses it to heat 90pc of the following brew.

It is made from high-yielding barley grown in East Anglia, to minimise carbon emissions from transportation, and aphid-resistant Boadicea hops, to cut the use of pesticides.

The beer will be packaged in a lightweight 500ml glass bottle - similar to other Adnams products - which the company claims has reduced its carbon emissions by more than 415 tonnes a year.

Company officials worked with experts from UEA to develop the beer.

Adnams managing director Andy Wood said: “Every stage in the development of East Green, from the growing of the hops to the packaging, has been designed to minimise our carbon emissions as far as possible.

“The remaining CO2, which equates to less than 1p per bottle, has been offset with [environmental organisation] Climate Care.”

Dr Simon Gerrard, from the CRed carbon reduction campaign, said: “Our programme has enabled Adnams to understand the complex nature and range of carbon emissions arising from the production and distribution of East Green beer.

“The carbon lifecycle assessment from farm to bottle helped Adnams target key elements in the process and reduce the emissions of the overall product.”

The beer will sell in Tesco stores for £1.79 from April 28.