Harveys Sussex Best – new on today at The Fox Inn at Fox Corner.
A superbly balanced bitter with prominent hop character.
Using a blend of four local hops, water filtered through the Sussex Downs over 30 years, and Harvey’s unique 60 year old yeast strain, Harvey’s Best Bitter is the embodiment of Sussex.
ALC 4.0% VOL
John Harvey started brewing beer in Sussex way back in the 1820s. The family business is still going strong, and is firmly established as one of the best-known brewers in the south-east of England. Every Tuesday, they deliver beer by horse and dray to local pubs, and 80% of the beer they make is sold within 50 miles of the brewery. Thankfully, what with miracle of the internet and all that, you can now get Harvey’s beers much further afield.
Harveys Sussex Best
As the name indicates, this is a traditional bitter. It pours well, with a light caramel colour, with a decent head on it. There is a nice hoppy flavour but it’s not overpowering. According to one of our regulars, it’s just perfect with a bowl of salted peanuts!
Finest Maris Otter malted barley is supplemented with a dash of Crystal malt for balance. The hops are a blend of four different local varieties, to give a distinctive hoppy finish.
Brewed since the 1950s the brew has evolved over decades, satisfying the expectations of the people of Sussex and its adjoining counties.
Harvey's Awards (All beers)
From ‘UK Brewer of the Year’ 2021 to numerous World Beer accolades, the Harvey’s team have been producing award-winning beers as far back as 1952.
Being awarded locally, nationally and internationally means a great deal to Harveys. We hope the dedication of their team, and consistency of quality continues to be recognised for years to come.
All brewers are, after all, only as good as their last pint!
2023
CAMRA AWARDS 2023
Champion Beer of Britain
Dark Mild – CAMRA Gold Champion (Milds Category)
Society for the Preservation of Beers from the Wood
Harvey’s Sussex Best Bitter – Champion at Woodfest
| Lewes Castle Brown Ale | Gold – Trophy (Best Ale up to 5%) |
| Sussex Best Bitter | Gold |
| Elizabethan Ale (Collaborative) | Silver |
| Christmas Ale | Bronze |
| Carolean Crown | Bronze |
| Elizabethan Ale | Bronze |
| Prince of Denmark | Bronze |
THE WORLD BEER AWARDS
| Christmas Ale | Country Winner | (Barley Wine) |
| Lewes Castle Brown Ale | Country Winner | (English Style Brown Ale) |
| Old Ale | Bronze Medal | (Mild) |
| Elizabethan Ale | Country Winner | (Barley Wine (Collaborative)) |
| Tom Paine | Country Winner | (Bitter 4.5 to 5.5%) |
| Prince of Denmark | Silver Medal | (Stout & Porter) |
| Sweet Sussex | Bronze Medal | (Stout & Porter) |
THE BRITISH BOTTLER’S INSTITUTE COMPETITION
| Old Ale | GOLD | (Ale 1.5-3.9%) |
| Tom Paine | GOLD | (Ale 5.0-5.9%) |
| Elizabethan Ale | GOLD | (Ale 6.0-7.4%) |
| Christmas Ale | GOLD | (Ale 7.5%+) |
| Elizabethan Ale | SILVER | (Packaging) |
| Armada Ale | DIPLOMA | (Ale 4.5-4.9%) |
| Wharf IPA | DIPLOMA | (IPA 4.0-5.4%) |
| Lewes Castle Brown | DIPLOMA | (Stout/Porter/Dark Ale 4.0-5.4%) |
2022
CAMRA AWARDS 2022
Champion Bottled Beer of Britain
Imperial Extra Double Stout: GOLD
Eastbourne Beer Festival ‘Beer of the Festival’
Prince of Denmark
London & SE Champion Beer of Britain Competition –
Old Ale received Bronze Award
Low Alcohol Sussex Old Ale: GOLD
1859 Porter: GOLD
Prince of Denmark: GOLD
Christmas Ale: SILVER
Lewes Castle Brown Ale: SILVER
Armada Ale: BRONZE
Elizabethan Ale: BRONZE
Sussex Best Bitter: BRONZE
Sussex Old Ale: BRONZE
Imperial Extra Double Stout: BRONZE
THE BRITISH BOTTLER’S INSTITUTE COMPETITION
Christmas Ale: GOLD (Ales 7.5% +)
Sussex Old Ale: DIPLOMA (Ales 1.5-3.9%)
Lewes Castle Brown Ale: DIPLOMA (Stout/Porter/Dark Ale 4.0-5.4%)
Low Alcohol Old Ale: DIPLOMA (Low Strength Ales)
2020 / 2021
CAMRA Eastbourne Beer of the Festival
Prince of Denmark: VOTED WINNER
The World Beer Awards
Stout and Porter: Country Winner: 1859 Porter
Stout and Porter: Country Winner: Imperial Extra Double Stout
Stout and Porter: Country Winner: Prince of Denmark
Dark Beer: Silver: Christmas Ale
Pale Beer: Silver: Elizabethan Ale
Pale Beer: Bronze: Sussex Best Bitter
Stout and Porter: Bronze: Sweet Sussex
International Beer Challenge 2021
UK BREWER OF THE YEAR 2021
No or Low Alcohol Beers: Supreme Champion: Low Alcohol Old Ale
Stout and Porter: Best Stout or Porter: Imperial Extra Double Stout
Ales: Best Ale up to 5%: Old Ale
Ales: Gold: Christmas Ale
Ales: Silver: Sussex Best Bitter
Ales: Silver: Southdown Harvest
Stout and Porter: Silver: Sweet Sussex
Stout and Porter: Silver: Porter
Ales: Bronze: Wild Hop
Ales: Bronze: Lewes Castle Brown
Ales: Bronze: Elizabethan Ale
Stout and Porter: Bronze: Prince of Denmark
The British Bottler’s Institute Competition
Gold: Lewes Castle Brown
Gold: Elizabethan Ale
Diploma: Wild Hop
Diploma: Low Alcohol Old Ale
Diploma: Southdown Harvest
Diploma: Star of Eastbourne
Diploma: Christmas Ale
2020/2021
CAMRA’s Beer of the Year:
1859 Porter: Winner in the South East Sussex Campaign for Real Ale Beer of the Year Competition
2020
CAMRA’s Champion Bottled Beer of Britain 2020 competition
Imperial Extra Double Stout: Bronze
2019
World Beer Awards 2019
Stout and Porter: UK Winner: Imperial Extra Double Stout
Barley Wine: UK Winner: Elizabethan Ale
English Style IPA: UK Winner: Star of Eastbourne
Porter: UK Winner: Porter
Stout: UK Winner: Sweet Sussex Stout
Strong Porter: UK Winner: Prince of Denmark
Bitter up to 4.5%: Silver: Sussex Best Bitter
English Style Brown Ale: Silver: Malt Brown
The International Beer Challenge 2019
Gold: Low Alcohol Old Ale, Malt Brown, Tin Lizzie
Silver: Elizabethan Ale, Knots of May, Lewes Castle, Old Ale, Star of Eastbourne , Wharf IPA
Bronze: Black Stout , Christmas Ale, Imperial Extra Double Stout, Sussex Best Bitter, Tom Paine, Wild Hop
British Bottler’s Institute Drinks Competition 2019
Stout, Porter or Dark Ale abv 5.4%: Gold: Lewes Castle Brown
Low Strength Ales abv 0.5% or below: Gold: Low Alcohol Best Bitter
Ales, abv 1.5% – 3.9%: Silver: Old Ale
Stout, Porter or Dark Ale, abv 4.0% – 5.4%: Silver: 1859 Porter
Stout, Porter or Dark Ale, abv 4.0% – 5.4%: Silver: Black Stout
Ales, abv 5.0% – 5.9%: Diploma: Tom Paine
Ales, abv 6.0% – 7.4%: Diploma: Star of Eastbourne
Stout, Porter or Dark Ale, abv 7.5% or above: Diploma: Imperial Extra Double Stout
Low Strength Ales, abv 0.5% or below: Diploma: Low Alcohol Old Ale
Beer of the Festival – South Downs Beer and Cider Festival
Joint Second Place: Old Ale
DBA Design Effectiveness Awards
Bronze Award
International Spirits Challenge 2019
Silver Medal: Malt Gin
Bronze Medal: Hop Gin
Champion Winter Beer of Britain
Silver: Old Ale
Beer of the Festival – Eastbourne Beer Festival
First place: Star of Eastbourne
Beer Bods Beer of the Year 2019
First place: Bonfire Boy
South East Sussex CAMRA: Beer of the Year 2019
First place: Bonfire Boy