A BREWERY has been presented with a golden award by a real ale group, as it marks 50 years of campaigning for better beer.

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), which celebrates its 50 year anniversary this year, has awarded Harvey’s brewery in Lewes with a golden award, after recognising the brewer's long-standing commitment to excellence.

As part of the year-long celebrations, Camra is recognising people, groups of people, or businesses, that have made a significant contribution to Camra’s aims, helping the organisation get to where it is today.

And Harvey’s has been selected due to it being a long-standing and prolific Camra national award winning brewer, and going above and beyond in delivering excellence over the years.

Miles Jenner, head brewer at Harvey’s said: “To be associated with Camra’s phenomenal success over the past half century is an absolute honour. We feel we have, indeed, struck gold.”

Camra’s awards director, Gary Timmins said: “I am delighted to be honouring these businesses today with a Camra golden award.

"2021 is our anniversary year, and we want to take this opportunity to celebrate the successes and long history of British brewing and cider production – we wouldn’t have got far without their support, or their pints.

“This anniversary comes on the heels of an incredibly difficult time for the industry after a year of lockdowns and restrictions.

"I hope the teams behind the winning breweries and cider makers will take this award as appreciation for all the hard work involved in producing great drinks over the decades.

"Nominations were submitted by our members and consumers, which says a lot about the support and impact they have had over the last 50 years.

“Winners have been chosen for their successes in standing the test of time; they are breweries or cider and perry producers that have gone above and beyond in delivering excellence or innovation over the years. I applaud them for their dedication and for being industry stalwarts.”

Nominations for the golden awards were made by Camra members and locals, with more than 80 nominations submitted.

These were then whittled down to a final list of 18 awardees including breweries and cider makers.

The golden awards will be celebrating recipients in three different categories: Pubs, pints, and people.

The pub winners were announced in July, and those in the People categories will be announced later in the year.

Local presentation events are in the process of being arranged, with each brewery or cider maker receiving a certificate of achievement.

Camra will be celebrating their 50th anniversary throughout 2021, with a host of activities, including a new biography 50 years of Camra, awards for campaigners, pubs and breweries, virtual festivals, and commemorative merchandise.

For more information visit camra.org.uk/50-years/

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