Harvey's Lewes Castle Brown Ale

Classic Brown Ale - it might be a long way from the latest hazy, hop-led styles, but there's a place for everything and ales like these certainly deserve a spot on our shelves. Luscious, full and dark in colour this has sweet, malty depths, roasted notes, hints of burnt sugar and an earthy, bittersweet finish. Plenty here for your tastebuds to think about.

Harvey's can fairly claim to be part of England's brewing heritage. They're one of the country's long-established regional breweries still under independent ownership - something of a dying breed - and have been run by the descendants of founder John Harvey since the late eighteenth century, operating from their historic brewery, locally known as the cathedral, in the heart of the Sussex market town of Lewes. Using locally sourced ingredients is high on their list, and their flagship ales are made with hops and malt sourced almost entirely from Sussex, Kent and Surrey. Tradition and continuity are the twin themes that guide them, yet while their best-known ale, Sussex Best, is something of an institution in its own right, they're not shy of embracing contemporary fashions. All of which leaves Harvey's well placed to play a significant part in England's beer culture well into the future.