Harveys win top awards

In the subsequent Supreme Champion Beer of Britain competition, where the seven gold medallists were judged, Harveys received the silver medal to become 'runner-up supreme champion beer of Britain'.

Said head brewer Miles Jenner: 'This is a marvellous accolade for a beer which is essentially a local brew, tailored to the local palate, with a reputation that clearly exceeds the borders of its native and adjoining counties.

'We owe a debt of gratitude to the farmers and maltsters who supply our raw materials, many of which are grown locally.

'We are also blessed with a supply of well water which we have brewed with since 1875, and a yeast strain which has remained unchanged in the brewery for nearly half a century.

'Ultimately, however, we are dependent upon the loyalty and skill of our workforce to produce a consistent product week in, week out.

'It is an achievement of which we can all be justly proud.'

Many letters of congratulations have been received by the brewery.

Stuart Elms, a past chairman of a Sussex CAMRA branch, said: 'It is reassuring that the judges concurred with the taste buds of the many thousands of Harveys Best Bitter drinkers in Sussex in that true "day in, day out' quality and consistency will always win through.'