The beer is both brewed using, and named after the tonka bean. The south American fruit from the Cumaru tree is used by chefs for its “complex scent and nut & fruit flavours”.

Head Brewer Matt Clarke aged the 8.5% imperial porter with cacao nibs, which he said add to the beer’s diverse characteristics.

“This is a complex beer with many layers of flavour; chocolate, vanilla, coconut, almond, bitter cherry, rolling into the richness of dark malts,” he explained.

Tonka will be launched this Friday (6th May) at The Beer Hall, the Hawkshead Brewery tap where it will be available on keg as well as in bottles.