Summer Meltdown, a golden coloured ale brewed with spices, is the surprise winner at the 11th Southdowns Beer Festival.   The festival, that is becoming a must-visit event for beer lovers throughout the southeast, takes place every June in the Corn & Hop Exchange in Lewes. The winning beer is brewed by local Sussex brewer Dark Star, based in Ansty, Haywards Heath, who have made a habit of doing well at this particular festival.   Summer Solstice, another of the Dark Star's brews, a special for June, has won the festival vote in previous years but was forced into second place this year.

Paul Reed, Dark Star's managing director commented: "Gone are the days when real ale meant warm yeasty bitters, today real ale is about variety and our Summer Meltdown being voted the favorite at the festival proves my point. The Campaign for Real Ale and the many small brewers up and down the country are doing a great job in promoting this variety, and I especially thank Harveys, the great Sussex brewer, for supporting this festival."