Champagne moment for Sussex brewers (From The Argus)

Champagne moment for Sussex brewers

1:14pm Thursday 27th September 2012 in News By Ben Leo, reporter

A Sussex brewers was ahead of the rest at an international beer competition.

Lewes-based company Harveys, the oldest independent brewers in the county, scooped top prizes in the London 2012 International Beer Challenge.

They fought off competition from companies in more than 26 countries in the event which saw 430 different entrants.

Their Prince of Denmark beer was crowned best Stout Porter and Supreme Champion.

Brewed using a large percentage of dark malts and a very high hop rate, the 7.5% beer is described as being ‘not for the faint-hearted’ and should be ‘treated with respect.’

Miles Jenner, head brewer at Harveys, said: “To be supreme champion in an international competition is a tremendous achievement for our entire workforce.

“In the finals we were up against the oldest brewery in the world, Weihenstephan from Germany, as well as American, Belgian and UK brewers large and small.”

Harveys Imperial Extra Double won gold in the Stouts and Porters category whilst their Old Ale also won gold in the Ale category.

Their other ales, Lewes Castle Brown, Georgian Dragon and Tom Paine won silver whilst their Star of Eastbourne and Blue Label won bronze.

Judges in the competition included retailers, importers, brewers, publicans, writers and flavour analysts, who studied each beer or ale in turn.

They considered the appearance, aroma, taste and the finish before discussing their findings with other table members.

The history of Harveys stretches back more than 200 years and eight generations.

As a local brewer, they distribute their award-winning stock within a 50-mile radius and source their hops from Sussex, Kent and Surrey.

Mr Jenner is no stranger to success. In 2009 he was named Brewer of the Year by the British Guild of Beer Writers.

He added: “We are all delighted. Although we are essentially local brewers, it is good to know that we can compete successfully on an international stage.”