Hole Hearted, brewed by the Oakleaf Brewery, Gosport has won the competition to find the best beer produced in Hampshire for the second year in a row. The Oakleaf Brewery was founded in 2000 and this was the second year that its beers have featured in the final of the competition.

The winning beer is a premium bitter with an abv of 4.7%. It is described as powerfully floral and fruity and is brewed with Cascade hops. The brewer is Ed Anderson who brewed for the Fuzz and Firkin in Portsmouth and then the Winchester Ale Houses, before starting the Oakleaf Brewery. When told the result, Ed Anderson was enjoying a pint of Hole Hearted and was "Absolutely chuffed to bits!"

Judging took place on the Thursday evening of Southampton Beer Festival, organised by the Southern Hampshire branch of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale. The judging panel included experienced beer tasters from the Hampshire branches of CAMRA, Steve Hoey, landlord of the South Western Arms in St Denys (Southern Hampshire CAMRA's Pub of the year 2002 and 2003), local MPs Mark Hoban & Andrew Turner, and Southampton TV's Mark Stewart.

Customers can sample this year's winning beer, and over 80 other beers from around the country at the Southampton Beer Festival, which has lunchtime and evening sessions on both Friday 6th and Saturday 7th June. The festival is being held at the city's Guildhall.

For further information ring the festival organiser, Rob Whatley on 07985 194586. Oakleaf Brewery can be contacted on 023 9251 3222. The brewery's website is http://www.oakleafbrewing.co.uk/