The ale celebrates Liverpool's culture capital year

From next month, Cains Brewery will carry the message on its 2008 Celebration Ale to discourage excessive and binge drinking.

The label on the bottles will read: "Alcohol advice: Robert Cain supports responsible drinking.

"Excessive drinking can cause harm. Observe the daily guidelines for sensible drinking. Do not drink and drive."

The company will also have a picture showing how many units of alcohol the bottle contains.

It's important that the whole industry takes positive action instead of just talking Sudarghara Dusanj, Cains Brewery

Brewery boss Sudarghara Dusanj said: "There's mounting pressure to tackle the issue of binge drinking in the UK.

"We think brewers have a responsibility to promote sensible drinking to their customers.

"We don't think that the heavy drinking culture which is causing health problems in the UK can be turned around overnight.

"But it's important that the whole industry takes positive action instead of just talking about the issue."

Jean Coussins, chief executive of The Portman Group, which promotes sensible drinking, praised the move.

She said: "We have been spearheading this message through our campaigns and welcome this groundbreaking initiative."

Lesley King-Lewis, chief executive of Action on Addiction, said: "In several countries, such as the USA and Mexico, alcohol warning labels are obligatory, but research on the effectiveness of these warnings has had mixed results.

"However, it seems that the warnings do encourage more sensible consumption of alcohol in moderate drinkers."

The Celebration Ale is to mark Liverpool's success in being selected as European Capital of Culture in 2008.