WINNER OF SOUTHAMPTON BEER FESTIVAL.....TWICE!

The totally amazing news of last week is that, hot on the heels of Swift One winning Hampshire Beer of the Year, we find that we've won Southampton Beer of the Festival twice with both Swift One and Elderado. They both received seventy five votes, making them joint winners. It's difficult to believe that two of our beers have been awarded two of the highest local awards that there are. And that's after only six months of brewing! Thank you to all of the people that voted for us. It means a hell of a lot.

On the pub side of things we've been bombing around to a growing number of pubs so check out the beer finder.

The Victoria Inn in West Marden is a beautiful little pub in an equally beautiful village. It's tucked just of the road and draws in visitors locally and from far and wide. A good range of beers and some scrummy food make it a must if you are in the area.

Over in Surrey, in the village of Tongham, there is a sizable old pub on the corner of The Street and it's called The White Hart. The new owners are making a real go of this place with an ever changing choice of real ales and the whole place is brightened and buoyed along by their energy and enthusiasm. If you are bombing along the Hogsback and have a few minutes to spare, pull off the main drag and give yourself a treat.

Also in Surrey is The Sandrock in Wrecclesham. I've known this place of old and it's great to go back there. It has a solid reputation for serving ales in superb condition and also has an increasing reputation for good food. A very friendly and unassuming sort of place where everyone is made welcome.

Now if you want a pub that's steeped in history and in a stunning location, you need to look no further than The Anchor Bleu in Bosham. If you were any closer to Chichester Harbour you would be in it! In the drink in fact. An amazing place with seats at the front to look out over the water while supping some damn fine ale.

In Basingstoke. almost hidden by the shadows of modern office blocks, sits a little gem. It's The Queens Arms and when I delivered there I was amazed by this thriving local. It was packed at lunchtime with office workers and people arriving at or coming from the train station which is a few steps away. The way the food was being ordered it must be pretty good and there is a nice little courtyard garden to enjoy a pie and a pint! This little piece of Basingstoke history deserves a trip all of it's own.

And now a blast from my past. At the tender age of eighteen, I used to catch a bus from where I lived in Southampton to a wonderful pub in Romsey called The Tudor Rose. It was full of atmosphere, full off smoke, full of characters and sold some excellent beer. Very little has changed over the intervening thirty odd years. A gem of a place.

Another little gem is The White Hart at Penton Mewsey. It's just a few miles outside Andover, tucked down a country lane and nestles amongst parkland. It's cosy inside and the very friendly landlord and landlady are sure to make you very welcome.

The Red Lion in Oakhanger has good beer, good food and a wonderful tiled floor. This two bar hostelry is in a village with a giant golf ball! The landlord and landlady are working hard to create a real village local and we wish them all the best.

Another nature watch next week if not before. Cheers!