THOUSANDS of real ale enthusiasts are expected to head for Rochford in the next few days, lured by the chance to sample more than 200 beers, ciders and ales.
The 28th Rochford Campaign for Real Ale Beer and Cider Festival started on Tuesday at the Freight House, in Bradley Way, Rochford, and will continue until Saturday.
The festival was opened by beer writer Roger Protz, who also signed copies of his books, 300 Beers To Try Before You Die and the Good Beer Guide.
Drinkers can try beers from East Anglia and Wales, with separate bars dedicated to each and a third bar with ales from the rest of the country on tap.
Among the 65 beers from East Anglia are Santa Paws, Banana Bread Beer, Bladderwrack Stout and Drunken Monkey.
As well as the real ales, there are more than 30 ciders, foreign beers and specialist English bottled beer from which to choose.
The festival, run by volunteers, is supporting two local charities, the Rayleigh-based Donna Pickering Cancer Trust and the newly-formed Southend branch of Epilepsy Action.
Southend rock'n'roll band, The Magnets, will be playing on Saturday night.
The festival will be serving from 11.30am to 3pm and 5.30 to 11pm on today and all day on Friday and Saturday until 11pm.
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