SOME of the best real ales from across the south will be given their own special bar at this year's New Forest Show.

The show at New Park, Brockenhurst, from July 29 to July 31, will be opening up a real ale tent which will be called the Commoners' Drift in recognition of the round-ups of the New Forest ponies by the Agisters, who supervise the grazing activities, and the Commoners, who own the animals.

An artist has been commissioned to produce a pub sign using the drifts as the theme and is likely to be putting the finishing touches to the sign during the three days of the show.

In addition, blacksmiths' section chairman David Waite and his team will be producing the wrought iron framework which will hold the sign.

The ale itself will be provided by a dozen small independent breweries from Hampshire and neighbouring counties.

Each of the breweries will be providing their best two beers in a bid to let people know just how good the local brews are. Their tent will be alongside the already popular Black Boar Pub, which has quenched thousands of thirsts over the years.