Village Elder, brewed by the Cheriton Brewhouse has won this year's competition to find the best beer brewed in Hampshire. The Cheriton Brewhouse first brewed in 1993 and is located next to the Flower Pots pub in the village Cheriton, to the east of Winchester.

The winning beer, which was the runner-up in last year's competition, is a standard strength bitter with an abv of 3.8%. It is pale and flavoured with hops and elder flowers. Cheriton also claimed third place with Diggers Gold.

The brewery won the first Champion Beer of Hampshire in 1998 with Pots Ale. It has also won prizes at the Champion Beer of Britain awards and at many other beer festivals.

Judging took place on the Thursday evening of Southampton Beer Festival. The judging panel included experienced beer tasters from CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, including national executive member, Jim Fox.

Customers can sample this year's winning beer, and 80 other beers from around the country at the Southampton Beer Festival which has lunchtime and evening sessions on both Friday 22 and Saturday 23 June. The festival is being held at the city's Guildhall.

For further information ring the festival organiser, Rob Whatley on 07985 194586. Cheriton Brewery can be contacted on 01962 771166.