Brewers Gold, by Crouch Vale Brewery in South Woodham Ferrers, beat more than 50 other finalists to scoop the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) accolade.

The Camra Good Beer Guide describes the winning beer as "a honey-toned golden ale with grapefruit sharpness offset by suggestions of melon and pineapple".

Colin Bocking, who runs the brewery, said he was surprised to have won.

"I am speechless. It was enough of a surprise to have won Champion Beer of Britain in 2005, but to have been voted Britain's best beer for a second year in a row is truly unbelievable," he added.

"It's a recognition from the people who actually drink the stuff that they like it, and it's very important to me."

Brewers Gold accounts for more than 50% of Crouch Vale Brewery's beer production.