THE ale enthusiast's bible, The Good Beer Guide, has just been published by CAMRA, providing a comprehensive look at the best pubs and bars to drink at in the country as well as examining some of the issues facing the industry at the moment.

There are plenty of Essex entries in the list of 4,500 recommended pubs to visit, including the following 20 new additions:

Red Lion, Belchamp Otten

King William IV, Braintree

Railway Tavern, Brightlingsea

Eight Bells, Bures

Angel, Chelmsford

Barista, Chelmsford

Oddfellows Arms, Chelmsford

Railway Tavern, Chelmsford

Hospital Arms, Colchester

Norton, Cold Norton

Alma, Copford

St Anne's Castle, Great Leighs

Cock, Henham

Bull, Hockley

Red Lion, Kirby-le-Soken

Layer Fox, Layer-de-la-Haye

Hoy & Helmet, South Benfleet

Last Post, Southend-on-Sea

Cap & Feathers, Tilllingham

Victory, Walton-on-the-Naze

The guide is divided up by county, so it's easy to check up on great hostelries close to where you live or are travelling to. Each entry includes full details of the pub along with the ales on offer, as well details of atmosphere, facilities, food, accommodation and access.

Organised by region and county, the guide also has an index of independent breweries of which Essex has 18 listed – with another, Bishop Nick, launching this month – as well as each real ale brewed.

But while flourishing of micro-breweries are a great success story, new research from CAMRA shows that two pubs a day close across the country, prompting the guide to issue a five point to save the British pub.

Elsewhere there are articles on which pubs to investigate near the Olympic site in Stratford, plays and poetry in pubs, beer trends and styles as well as the process of making beer.

The CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2012 is out now priced £15.99 or can be bought online at www.camra.org.uk at a discount price where you can also find details of digital formats of the guide.