The Italians may have brought us tagliatelle and tiramisu, risotto and romance, but now we have succeeded in seducing the Italian palate with something entirely British.

Thanks in part to Hampshire's oldest family brewers George Gale and Co, it seems that our Latin friends are hooked on the taste of real ale.

Gales - the first British brewery to introduce real ale to the Italians last year - have just despatched dozens more casks of their flagship brew HSB to Italy. This repeat order confirms that the Italian palate is well and truly converted.

Gales ales were first exported to Italy after the brewery was selected by the Real Ale Society to spearhead a campaign last year to establish Britain as the leading supplier of quality beers. The Italians' passion for HSB suggests that it is now a permanent fixture behind their bars.