St Peter's Brewery, famous for its flagon-shaped bottles, has a magnificent setting in rural Suffolk in a moated Tudor farmhouse. The farm dates from 1280 and the moat was dug to keep out invading Vikings. The Tudor design is the result of the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII: when nearby Flixton Priory was closed by Cardinal Wolsey - who came from Ipswich - its fixtures and fittings were taken to St Peter's. The buildings have a facade of Caen stone from Normandy, an impressive tall chimney, latticed windows and a porched entrance complete with tombstone. Inside, the Great Hall has an imposing raftered ceiling, a 15th-century tapestry and a carved Madonna and Child. A dining room has a portrait of St Peter in front of the Basilica in Rome.

There's a lot of history involved in the modern brewing company: beer is produced in restored farm byres behind the main building. St Peter's London pub, the Jerusalem Tavern, in Britton Street, EC1, is a faithful recreation of an 18th-century coffee house. St Peter's, India Pale Ale (England) St Peter's has delved into history for this beer, a recreation of a 19th-century India Pale Ale, a style that originated in London although it�s best known for its associations with Burton-on-Trent. A cask-conditioned version is available as well as the beer in bottle: and this bottle is oval, departing from the flagon-shape. It�s brewed with Pale Ale Malt and First Gold hops and the pale bronze beer has a zesty aroma of hop resins, �fresh bread� grain and tart citrus fruit. There�s a superb balance of juicy malt, tangy hops and grapefruit in the mouth. The finish has sappy malt, iodine-like hop bitterness and a lingering citrus fruit note. Malt: high. Hops: high. Fruit: high. Also available from Ocado, farm shops and delicatessens. 5.5% ABV, 50cl, �2.03, brewery website, selected Waitrose. go to beer of the moment archives