Hanson’s Mild could remain in some Black Country pubs following a campaign to save it from extinction.

Real ale fans have been given a glimmer of hope as brewer Marston’s revealed it may become a guest beer in some pubs rather than be removed completely.

The traditional brew has been made in the Black Country for more than 150 years but has seen a sharp drop in demand recently and production has stopped because the quantities are so low and quality cannot be guaranteed.

But real ale fans are putting pressure on Marston’s to keep it as an occasional production, handing brewery chief executive Ralph Findlay a 1,000 signature petition.

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Hanson’s Mild could remain in some Black Country pubs following a campaign to save it from extinction.

Real ale fans have been given a glimmer of hope as brewer Marston’s revealed it may become a guest beer in some pubs rather than be removed completely.

The traditional brew has been made in the Black Country for more than 150 years but has seen a sharp drop in demand recently and production has stopped because the quantities are so low and quality cannot be guaranteed.

But real ale fans are putting pressure on Marston’s to keep it as an occasional production, handing brewery chief executive Ralph Findlay a 1,000 signature petition.

Wolverhampton councillor Bob Jones, who is on the national executive of the Campaign for Real Ale.

He said: “I know the brewery is in the process of considering Hanson’s as a candidate for guest beer which means it will be brewed once or twice a month

“We are encouraging it to do this and then maybe prove that it is sufficiently popular to warrant reinstatement.

“It is disappointing that it has got to this stage but we are pleased at least that they will be keeping it as an occasional production.

“Hanson’s is an well known historic beer with a very different taste to Banks’s Original. It is mild and popular and has a completely unique taste which should be preserved.”

Hanson’s roots trace back to the Saracen’s Head pub known as The Napper, in Stone Street. The landlord’s daughter Julia married Thomas Hanson in 1846 and they set up a wine and spirit merchants which her sons continued until 1943.

It was then taken over by Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries and was the Hanson’s brewery in Dudley High Street.

But that was closed in 1991 when production moved to Wolverhampton. The ale was phased out 13 years ago but the mild remained popular.

Marstons today declined to comment on the future of the beer.