This Month's Mat-side Tipple: Morocco Ale

Everyone knows that a beer after Judo is sublime. In celebration of this fact our mat-side tipple this month is Morocco Ale (Winner of a Silver Award at the SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers) North Beer Awards 2008).
The recipe for Morocco Ale is believed to date from Elizabethan times. It was named 'Morocco' by Colonel James Grahme of Levens when he was a courtier of Charles II. The Queen had brought Tangiers as part of her dowry and Grahme may have associated the Dark Moorish people of that land with the smooth, dark coloured ale of Levens. Legend has it that the secret recipe was buried in the garden, under the evergreens, during the Civil War. Every May time until 1877 the unique spiced Morocco Ale, matured for 21 years, was always served at a great feast held in the Gardens at Levens. New guests were required to stand on one leg and empty, in a single draught, a tall Constable glass filled with 'Morocco' whilst pledging to the ancient house... "Luck to Levens whilst t'Kent flows."
[Made in England at Daleside Brewery: http://www.dalesidebrewery.com]