Cardiff University scientists have joined forces with a Bridgend brewery to create a beer using honey from the university's own beehives.
Mêl – which means ‘honey’ in Welsh – is the result of a collaboration between the Bang On Brewery and microbiologists from the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
The idea stemmed from the university's Pharmabees project, which is looking at the potential health benefits of natural plant-based products.
Professor in Microbiology Les Baillie realised the honey and hops they were using would also lend themselves well to beer. Meanwhile, brewery founder Neil Randle was thinking about making a botanical brew using locally-sourced produce.
After the two were introduced by a mutual friend, they decided to work together to make it happen.
Microbiologist Les and microbrewer Neil decided to join forces after realising they shared an interest in botanicals. Credit: ITV News
Beer chef Craig Jackson was also on board.
Beer chef Craig Jackson was responsible for brewing the new beer. Credit: ITV News
It's hoped the beer could be the first in a series of botanical brews - potentially including a non-alcoholic version.
The honey beer is also proving a sweet success for the local education sector.
