Drinkers ready for beer festival

There will be high spirits in Lichfield tomorrow with the launch of the annual Winter Beer and Wine Festival.

More than 3,500 pints are set to be consumed at the two-day event, which is being staged at Lichfield Guildhall.

The festival is expected to attract 1,000 people. And drinkers will be spoilt for choice with more than 35 beers, 20 wines and seven ciders on offer.

Festival director Brian Pretty said: "Everything is looking good; the beer is all pretty much in place, and we're all just looking forward to the festival now."

Mr Pretty said this week's sunny weather could encourage extra customers to turn out for the festival but added that bad weather had never deterred drinkers in the past.

He said: "The forecast suggests it's going to be pretty cold.

"But it's been dark and miserable before, and everybody still makes the journey."

Wines from Australia, Chile, California and France are lined up for the festival, but visitors can also enjoy tipples that started life a little closer to home.

Drinkers can sample Dragon Smoke Stout or Mercian Shine, both of which are brewed at Chasewater-based Beowulf Brewery.

Other imaginatively titled beers that are likely to tempt the tastebuds include Trojan Horse, Fossil Fuel and Easy Rider.

The popular festival faced the axe in 2004 after organisers Lichfield Arts were told that they could no longer stage the event at the Guildhall in Bore Street.

The city council feared that the ancient Guildhall's newly refurbished floor would be ruined if beer was spilled.

Organisers had to urgently look around for alternative venues but finally returned to the Guildhall for last year's festival.

Bars are open from midday until 11pm tomorrow and Saturday.

Admission is free before 5.30pm but anyone attending the evening sessions is advised to purchase tickets in advance.

To book, call the Lichfield Arts box office on 01543 262223.