The White House has released details of one of its most closely guarded secrets - the recipe for President Barack Obama's home-brewed honey ale.

Details of the recipe were kept secret until 13,000 people signed an online petition demanding more information. A White House video was then posted on the internet, showing chefs brewing the ale.

But cynics have suggested that the politics may be behind the release. One of the oldest American political cliches states that people vote for the person they would most like to have a beer with - and Mr Obama's rival in the November election, Mitt Romney, a Mormon, does not drink.

Jonathan Josephs reports.