Tipplers can now get some kick as well as some vitamins out of a new beer, which is supposed to protect the liver from harmful effects of alcohol.

Lady Bird Bio Beer, which was launched in the Kerala markets on Wednesday, increases bio-availability of vitamins, according to its inventor B Srinivas Amarnath of Advaith Biotech Pvt Ltd.

He said the beer contained aloe vera extracts, in addition to the regular barley malt and carbondioxide hops.

"The results of human clinical trials have shown aloe vera increases the bioavailability of vitamins like B1, B6, B12, C and E," said C B Jagannatha Rao, senior vice president, Khoday Group of Industries, which has tied up with Advaith Biotech in the venture.

Years of research have also proved that with the long-term use of the beverage, there was no ulceration, gastric trouble or other harmful effects from drinking it, Amarnath claimed.

Apart from giving a 'pleasant feeling' it also protects the liver by improving its function, he said, claiming that it reduces the blood cholesterol and also maintains the bilirubin levels to normal levels.

The response to bio beer, following its launch in Karnataka in February, has been good and more than 600,000 bottles have been sold in that state in four months, Amarnath claimed.

Bio Beer was also being exported to Canada, and inquiries have come from Malaysia and the United States, he said, adding that a delegation from the United Kingdom had visited and had shown interest in the product.