CLEVELAND, Ohio - Forest City Brewery is planning to come out with a special beer: An experimental ale brewed with gold that comes from a recipe discovered in an ancient alchemy book dating to 1321.

Of the beers on tap in Cleveland breweries, many are old styles that date to various regions of the world. Beer itself can be traced to the Sumerians thousands of years ago. Grisette, a farmhouse-ale style of beer, dates to the 19th century and is being made locally. Porters and India Pale Ales also have intriguing origin tales. But uncovering a specific recipe is rare - especially one that predates the Gutenberg Bible by more than 100 years.

Owner Matt Mapus uncovered the pamphlet-like recipe book on his travels to Cologne, Germany, said Jay Demagall, also an owner of the brewery. He said Mapus was given permission to copy the text, which then was translated.

Like many breweries in Cleveland, Forest City - which is nestled in the Duck Island neighborhood on Columbus Road - embraces creative styles in the brewhouse. Brewer Jim Waltz even crafted a tiny trial batch of the gold beer, which Demagall said was "absolutely delicious." He said they will start with a Pale Ale and a Kolsch, the latter being a tip-of-the-hat style because it is indigenous to Cologne.

So many breweries in Northeast Ohio means that prices can remain competitive on most styles, save for the occasional Imperial Stout or special aged ale. But this one takes pricing to an entirely new level. The price will be pro-rated based on the amount used per ounce of beer and the going rate. A recent price showed gold trading at more than $1,334. Demagall said the beer "would probably be around" $52.50 for an ounce, $100 for two ounces and $148.72 for three, but market fluctuations are expected to change the pricing structure.

Glucklich A. Narrentag is credited in the recipe book as the original brewer. Little is known about him, but he was an alchemist by trade and worked at Sion Brauhaus before moving on to brew at a monastery.

One thing Demagall is being coy about is the location of the gold bricks the brewery has bought. For security concerns, they are being kept off site, along with a separate brewing system and fermenters that will be used only for the gold beer. Forest City has hired The S. Finch Co., a Maine-based private-security firm, to protect the gold. Demagall would not even confirm if the brewing will be done in Northeast Ohio.

Looking at possible other styles that could be brewed with gold, Forest City has created what it calls its "Midas Series." Forest City is believed to be the country's only brewery launching a line of beer with gold. One thing about gold, Demagall said, is that unlike some ingredients that work better in one style than another, gold will be perfect for any type of beer. It is said to have a "slightly mineral-shale-like taste with notes of pencil shavings." An investor who he would not name is bankrolling the gold purchase.

Due to Forest City's brewing schedule, Demagall said a release date has not been determined. But don't expect pint cans or distribution to area bars and restaurants, let alone growler fills. This one will be served at the brewery only in Falschung glasses, which are small, clear German-style tulip-like vessels.

Editor's note: Wishing everyone - beer drinkers and others - a very happy April Fool's Day. Cheers!

(A year ago today - April 1 - another Cleveland brewery made a bold announcement regarding its future. Here's the story.)