REAL ale lovers will raise their glasses and drown their sorrows following an annoucement that the Cheriton Brewhouse is to close.

Established in 1993 next to the village pub the Flower Pots Inn, the timber-clad microbrewery has produced several award-winning tipples.

Paul Tickner, who owns the Flower Pots Inn, and brewery experts Martin Roberts and Ray Page, are going their own separate ways.

The three men, who each own part of the enterprise, have given no reason for the closure.

Mr Tickner declined to comment earlier this week, saying the issue was in "legal limbo".

Mr Page was also tight-lipped for similar reasons. He added that it was unclear if the Cheriton ales would ever be brewed again.

In order to do so, he said Mr Roberts and he would need to acquire Mr Tickner's share of the business.

The Brewhouse's Digger's Gold was named champion ale by the Small Independent Brewers Association in 1994, while Village Elder scooped a gold medal at the Great British Beer Festival of 2003.

Many of its other specialities -- including Pots Ale, Amber Gambler and Cheriton Best -- have also won praise from punters.

Pat O'Neill, from the Campaign for Real Ale's South Hants branch, said it did not expect the Cheriton Brewhouse to reopen.

"I think it's unlikely that beer will be brewed on this site again, which is really sad," he said.

He added that they were unable to campaign against the closure as the decision rested with individuals and not big business.

"We're obviously very upset, especially as we can do nothing," added Mr O'Neill.

Regret has also been expressed at the 30 or so pubs supplied by Cheriton Brewhouse.

David Nicholson, owner of the Black Boy in Wharf Hill, Winchester, said Pots Ale had been popular with customers.

"I will have to find some other beers of the same strength and put them on instead," he said..

Lucy John, barmaid at The Dolphin in St Denys, Southampton, said on Tuesday that they only had four barrels of Pots Ale left.

"There's been uproar about it, because it's one of our best-sellers," she said.

The Cheriton Brewhouse is the second Hampshire brewery to close in a matter of weeks.

Last month, George Gale & Co's premises in Horndean was shut after a takeover from London-based firm, Fullers.

Ironically, the Campaign for Real Ale released figures this week showing that 570 breweries are now operating nationwide, up from 440 in 2002.

The organisation says tax breaks for smaller producers have made the difference.