Express & Star

It's a beery good show at Cannock festival

The drinks were flowing today at the end of Cannock's annual three day Beer Festival, with 63 ales and 20 ciders at the Prince of Wales Theatre. The town's Camra group has organised the three-day event.Cannock CAMRA are now in their sixth year of hosting the event which is held at Prince of Wales Theatre, Church Street.

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Phil Haywood from Rugeley and Chris Southall from Cannock

The three day event will see over 63 unique ales and beers being served, as well as 20 ciders and perries as well as eight exclusive brand new beers which have never been served before.

Chris Southall, organiser of the festival, said: "We never repeat a beer, so over the six years we've been running it we've seen loads of different ones and there's a few I haven't tried yet.

"Our most popular beers are usually the different dark beers, stouts and porters."

Many of these are from local brewers, including Walsall's Backyard Brewhouse and the Beowulf Brewing Co based in Chasewater.

Chris added: "We've had a lot of support from the local breweries, we've seen the festival grow and grow over the last six years and it's definitely getting more popular and there is more competition from pubs that run their own festivals."

This year, organisers are trying something different by serving four beers from wooden casks instead of metal which is said to enhance the flavour.

Preparations for the festival began in April this year with monthly meetings held in the run up to the festival in September.

"We're all volunteers, from the people who set up the venue, to the door staff to those selling the pints." Chris added.

Each year CAMRA support a charity alongside the festival and this year they've chosen Cannock Food Bank.

Event goers can donate any spare beer tokens they don't use to raise cash for the charity.

"Supporting the charity is a good way for us as CAMRA to give something back to the local community." Said Chris.

Live music will on Friday and Saturday from Chevvy Bel Air, Aaron Page and Shindig to keep the festival in full swing.

The festival will be held from Thursday 19 to Saturday 21 with doors opening at midday until 11pm.