A NEW stout which brewers say is 'better than Guinness' has been launched and is 'exclusive' to a Worcester pub.

Anchor Storm, a new stout which brewers say surpasses the celebrated Irish drink, was launched at the Cocky Anchor pub in Broad Street, Worcester on Friday.

John Wright of Bewdley Brewery, which makes the new 4.3 per cent stout, was with the pub's general manager, Matt Dainty, to launch to stout at noon with the venture representing an exciting new direction for both the brewery and the pub which opened last November.

NEW: John Wright (left) of Bewdley Brewery and Matt Dainty of the Cocky Anchor in Broad Street, Worcester, with Anchor StormNEW: John Wright (left) of Bewdley Brewery and Matt Dainty of the Cocky Anchor in Broad Street, Worcester, with Anchor Storm (Image: James Connell/Newsquest photos)

Mr Wright said: "This was has been brewed specially for the Cocky Anchor. It's much tastier than Guinness and it's available now."

Mr Dainty and Mr Wright said work on improving and perfecting the stout had taken place across the summer.

The pint is described as having a full, rich flavour and a creamy texture and - like a Guinness - there is a certain 'theatre' to pulling the pint said Mr Wright.

EXCITING: The logo for the new stout, called Anchor Storm, which is available exclusively at the Cocky Anchor in Broad Street, Worcester EXCITING: The logo for the new stout, called Anchor Storm, which is available exclusively at the Cocky Anchor in Broad Street, Worcester (Image: Supplied by Cocky Anchor)

At £4.95 they both stressed that the new stout was also 'cheaper than Guinness' and Mr Dainty was looking forward to the first customers giving it a try.

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Mr Dainty said: "Customers were constantly asking if we had any Guinness. Instead of getting Guinness in, we thought we would see if we can make our own stout that tastes better than Guinness."

The bar at the maritime pub is designed to resemble the prow of a ship and the atmosphere is enhanced by carefully chosen antiques purchased from Britain's auction houses, ranging from an old diving helmet to duelling pistols and from portraits of our illustrious seafaring ancestors to paintings of the resplendent ships of Britain's past.

For owner Ian Paxton the sea is, quite literally, in his blood - one of his ancestors, working as a cooper, served on HMS Victory (Lord Nelson's flagship) and his wife also served with the Royal Navy.

The most distinctive feature of the pub is possibly the humorous 'clock bogs' - toilets with grandfather clocks.