VISITORS are expected to pour into Worcester and hail the ale on offer at the city’s annual beer, cider and perry festival.
The 16th Worcester CAMRA Beer, Cider and Perry Festival kicks off tomorrow at Pitchcroft Racecourse with more than 170 ales and over 100 ciders and perries on offer.
Organisers hope to top the 13,900 people who came along in 2014 to enjoy a few pints, sit out in the sun and listen to the bands.
For the second time in many years, the festival had dry weather throughout which brought more people to the festival than had ever been seen before, who stayed for longer and drank more.
Due to popular demand the festival will be reverting back to having several food outlets rather than the single food court that was at last year’s festival.
Old favourites such as Flaming Cactus will be returning to sell their range of Mexican food, including vegetarian food, out of their shiny converted 1950s Airstream.
Evesham-based Starchip Enterprise will also be beaming into the festival to serve out-of-this world fish and chips.
Organisers have also introduced changes to how visitors pay for their drinks with new strike cards making their debut this year.
Ale, cider and perry lovers can now buy a card with a cash amount on it and every time a drink is purchased, the value is crossed off the card.
Another popular part of the festival is the live music on offer and this year’s festival boasts another entertaning programme for music and ale lovers to enjoy.
Among the acts on stage on Thursday and Friday evening and throughout the day on Saturday is vocalist Mike Skilbeck, Two men and a Piano, Daddies Girls, Davey Rocks, Paul Winstanley, Underground Ocean and many more.
The festival will be open tomorrow (Thursday) from 5pm to 11pm, Friday (August 7) from midday to 11pm and Saturday from midday to 10pm.
Admission is £6 on Thursday and £9 on both Friday and Saturday, although session numbers will be limited to ensure supplies do not run out.
CAMRA members receive £2 of drink tokens at the token desk on production of a valid membership card and admission prices include a souvenir glass and programme.
Visit www.worcesterbeerfest.org.uk for all the latest information and to purchase tickets in advance.
