Our very own ale

Ashley Armstrong, 20, daughter of town mayor Cllr Eric Armstrong, agreed to pose in an authentic 1930s bathing costume for the beer's official launch.

The new brew is the product of micro-brewing firm The White Brewing Company, a family run business established in Bexhill ten years ago.

The idea for a beer named after the town came at an Old Town Preservation Society meeting and was taken forward by the mayor and by Paul Clark, whose design agency produces ideas for beer mats.

Already holding its own against the vast might of big breweries, The White Brewing Company has been gaining a reputation with its 1066 Country Bitter, White's Dark and White Gold.

All the family are involved in the business from parents David and Lesley White to son Josh and daughter Lindsay.

"Maiden Bexhill is a traditional Sussex recipe, multi-flavoured with a surprise fruity bite," said Lesley. The latter is provided by a little bit of passion seed to "reflect all the charm and good nature of Maiden Bexhill."

The new ale is already getting local approval and is available at a number of local outlets.

Ideas for new brews are flowing fast and free and already there are plans for a stronger ale by Christmas to be called Mr Bexhill.

Maiden Bexhill can be sampled at the Cooden Beach Hotel, De La Warr Pavilion, the RAFA Club, The Waterfront, Dunselma Hotel, O'Sullivans, Louis Fish Bar, Redstack, TeeK's with more to come.

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