THE BROMSGROVE Beer Festival was hailed a great success after almost 3,000 people attended the event at the town’s Rugby Club between Thursday and Saturday.
The event was organised by the Bromsgrove and Redditch branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale).
A total of 8,344 pints of real ale out of 10,368 were drank and 90 new CAMRA members were signed up.
The beer of the festival was Fownes’ Korvaks Saga Chapter IV Downfall, second was Fownes’ The Elephant Rider and joint third was the Ran Rum N Raisin Stout and Roosters’ Baby Faced Assassin.
JP Cider was cider of the festival.
The Rum and Raisin Stout was the first to run out, followed by Woodcote Manor’s Triple SSS.
The first cider to go was Snails Bank Rhubarb Cider, followed by Broadoak Sloe Gin Cider and Seacider Blood Orange Cider.
Presentations were made to the Pub of the Year to Alestones in Tardebigge and Club of the Year to Clent Club.
There were 80 volunteers working hard to ensure everyone was served and the charity of the festival – the Bromsgrove branch of the Royal British Legion will receive £780 from donated beer cards.
The town’s RBL said it would like to thank festival goers for their support and staff for their tankard tombola and bottle stall.
There was also outdoor entertainment, food, falconry and an outside bar provided by the Rugby Club.
And Brett Laniosh from Beer Consultancy Services held a beer tasting session for licencees on the Thursday evening.
Among the festival goers were Daryl and Jessie Jenkins who had journeyed from Malvern.
Jessie said: “I always enjoy myself at the Bromsgrove Beer Festival, it’s up there with the best of them.”
Daryl added: “It’s a lovely evening – Bromsgrove is one of my favourites as well.”