ONE side will be raising a toast and the others will be drowning their sorrows on Saturday.

And to celebrate the rivalry between Blackburn Rovers and Burnley, a brewery has brought out a new beer.

‘Bitter Rivals’ will be made available in pubs across Burnley by Moorhouse’s Brewery this weekend as fans gear up for the derby.

The beer is a mix of existing beers, The Pendle Witches and Premier Bitter, and will supplied to pubs including The Bridge Bier Huis in Burnley, Barley’s Pendle Inn and The George and Dragon in Barrowford.

David Grant, managing director of Moorhouse’s Brewery, said: “It’s a deep-rooted rivalry and we wanted to celebrate it in a fun way.

“We wanted to show that being rivals does not mean that the police have to get involved and I think that Burnley fans will really enjoy the beer.

“I think that it will go down well with the fans and that it will add to their match day experience.

“It will either end up being a celebration brew or a commiseration brew.

“It’s quite fun to mark an occasion like this with a beer and I hope it catches on and we can do it again.”

Emma Harrison, landlady of The Bridge Bier Huis said: “It’s just a bit of fun really and I’m sure it will go down well with the supporters at the weekend.

“Moorhouse beer normally sells well in the pub anyway and I think this will be no different.

“It’s a nice idea which shows that the rivalry can be a friendly one.”

This weekend’s fixture marks the 100th competitive meeting between the two sides in all competitions.

Keiron Marshall, manager of Pendle Inn said: “I wanted to do something to celebrate the hundredth meeting between Burnley and Blackburn Rovers.

“I’m a huge Burnley fan and this seemed like the perfect way.

“We have had loads of response to it already on Twitter and Facebook and I’m sure it will be a success at the weekend.

“I hope that the beer will make another appearance when the next derby comes around.”