A BREWERY near Bishop's Waltham has been chosen to represent Hampshire in the forthcoming National Maris Otter Beer Festival.

Upham Brewery was selected to take part in the festivies - now in their 50th year - and to celebrate the brewery is launched a one-off birthday ale using Maris Otter barley malts.

Upham EPA will be a 4.2 per cent abv full-flavoured pale ale with a floral, grassy and fruity aroma with hints of spice. It will be made using Maris Otter Pale Ale Malt, Crystal Malt and a combination of Fuggle, Challenger and Target English Hops.

The festival takes place in Norwich, September 17-19, showcasing 50 different beers - 43 from other counties across Britain and six from foreign countries.

Master brewer, James Stephenson, said: “As a brewery with a fast expanding customer base in a competitive market we require the very best ingredients to produce our premium ales week in week out. Maris Otter malt is consistently excellent, delivering a great depth of flavour and we are proud to champion it. We look forward to representing Hampshire with our specially brewed Upham EPA at this landmark 50th anniversary celebration.”

The festival is being run by grain merchants H Banham and Norfolk Brewhouse's David Holliday.

Mark Banham, from H Banham, said: “As far as we know, the festival is the first birthday party ever to be held for a grain variety. Maris Otter's track record is best bar none with nine of the most recent fourteen Champion Beers of Britain made with it. Quite a record for an ingredient and well worth celebrating.

“We're delighted that Upham Brewery is supporting the birthday bash and are looking forward to trying Upham EPA.”