Stourbridge Beer Festival making a good pint

The annual festival, hosted by the Stourbridge and Halesowen branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, kicks off later this month running for three days.

It will feature beers from all around the country and also selections from breweries in the Black Country.

Festival organiser John Midwood said: "The festival is good for the area and trade.

CAMRA are trying to stop pubs being turned into supermarkets.

"There are quite number of new breweries popping up within our branch and a few just outside our area within Enville and Kinver.

"The idea of beer is spreading quite a lot which is part of the reason why we host the festival.

The festival will be the 19th year it has been held consecutively."

The beers that will be on show from on April 20 have been selected by the team of Matt Merrick and Roberto Ross.

Both Matt and Roberto have tried to provide a selection of beers to cover a range of tastes.

Amongst them will be well-hopped ales from Magic Rock in Huddersfield through to darker beers such as Dark Horse from GT Ales in Barnstable.

Breweries that will feature from the local area include Holden's Woodsetton Pale, using English hops, and Sadler's Ales based in Stourbridge.

Since CAMRA was founded, Mr Midwood estimated there were around 50 breweries in the country – most of which were owned by larger company.

But now those numbers have shot up to over 1,500.

And he added: "There are now around half a dozen breweries set up in our area too, compared to just one a few years ago."

There will also be beers served from KeyKegs which are real ales but dispensed through keg taps.

In addition to the ales there will be 25 ciders and perries on our, chosen by cider expert Lizzie Ralph.

Food will be provided by Graham's Place as it has been for the last two years.

Tickets cost £10.

For more information visit www.stourbridgebeerfest.