Oakleaf and Bowman share Hampshire title

June 14, 2007: For the first time in its 10-year history, the Hampshire Beer of the Year competition, at the Southampton Beer Festival, produced joint winners.

The honours went to Bowman Ales' Swift One (3.8%) and Oakleaf Brewery's Hole Hearted, which has previously won the contest four times.

Swift One was the first beer brewed by Bowman Ales and was launched in January this year. The beers are brewed at the newly-built brewery at Wallops Wood, near Droxford. This is a pale, golden and hoppy session beer with a dry finish.

Hole Hearted is the 4.7% flagship bitter of Gosport's Oakleaf Brewery. It is brewed entirely with Cascade hops, which give it a powerful floral, citrus aroma. Oakleaf Brewery's beers also took third and fourth places in the competition with Maypole Mild and Blake's Gosport Bitter.

Judging took place on the Thursday evening of Southampton Beer Festival, organised by the Southern Hampshire branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). The judging panel included experienced beer tasters from the Hampshire branches of CAMRA, Margaret Bridle, landlady of the Guide Dog in Southampton (Southern Hampshire CAMRA's Pub of the year 2007) and Steve Lamond from Southampton University's Real Ale Society.