Called “Birthday Boy” the 9.5% barley wine proved a hit with the hundreds who thronged to the brewery, and walked, on a gloriously crisp and sunny winter day, across the fields and along the lanes to several local pubs that stock Ballards beers.

Always in aid of a local cause, this year a third of the brewery takings will be donated to the new Midhurst Youth Bus project which will be a mini-bus café providing a service for young people and a place where they can meet and have snacks and refreshments. The bus will be launched in January 2009.

Director Carola Brown said “We were delighted that so many people defied the credit crunch and turned out to support the brewery and the local pubs which are having such a hard time at the moment. We would like to thank all who took part and helped us raise £350 for the Youth Bus, and also the pubs which took part and laid on special lunches and barbecues for the walkers.”

Colin Hughes, Chairman of Midhurst Town Council which is providing the bus, said he was very grateful for the contribution which demonstrated that the community really does care about young people.

“Birthday Boy” is available on draught and in bottles from Ballards Brewery at Nyewood, and from many local outlets.