Enjoy the best ales around at town's newest festival

A FORMER fishing village which has become a focal point for exciting cultural events is getting its first beer festival.

Mark Ringwood, the man behind the arts festival WemsFest and the country’s first dedicated Comic Relief weekend, is putting on the event in Emsworth over the weekend of September 30.

Mark said: ‘For a community which once depended as much on brewing as it did on fishing, it’s perhaps surprising that it’s never staged a beer festival before.

‘However, all this is set to change.

‘Nearly 30 beers will be available, along with cider, wine, and soft drinks.

‘It’s taking place in Emsworth Community Centre.’

The three day event is part of Emsworth’s Great British Food Fortnight.

Local beers will be showcased alongside 2016 Great British Beer Festival award -winners, plus live music, hot food, and meet-the-brewer sessions.

Drinkers will have the opportunity to vote for what they consider to be the best three ales on offer.

Tickets for the event include a special souvenir glass and drinks tokens.

Friday and Saturday evening sessions run from 6pm to 11pm, Saturday afternoon’s session runs from midday to 5pm, and there are drink-ups on Sunday from midday.

Emsworth Food Fortnight has been a huge success.

Now in its third year, last weekend saw hundreds of people visit the Hampshire Farmer’s Market on Saturday and apple pressing on Sunday.

And there are still a lot more events to get involved with, including gin tasting, a pie master class, arts and crafts, wine tasting and a country market.

Tickets cost £10 and are available from Bookends, Harbour Records, and The Blue Bell public house.

They are also available online from wegottickets.com.

n Would you like to contribute to our community pages?

Would you like to write a community column? Then e-mail The News at [email protected].