MORE than 1,000 people gathered to enjoy the fine selection and ales and ciders at Dorchester Beerex beer festival last Friday and Saturday.

Revellers managed to swig their way through 5,000 pints of ale during the four sessions.

Now in its 24th year, the fundraising festival at the town's Corn Exchange featured 85 different barrels of ale, all of which were sponsored by local businesses, 12 ciders and live music by Wishbones and Gordons Alive.

Organised by Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA), Dorchester Round Table and Dorchester Ellipse, the festival has raised around £90,000 for good causes. Last year's event raised £10,000 and it's hoped that the latest celebration of beer made a similar tally.

Beer festival chairman Ben King said: "A lot of hard work goes into preparing the two days but it's always a lot of fun. We have a small army of helpers and we depend on them to make it happen."

Speaking at the festival launch, Mayor of Dorchester Tess James said: "This is a great event for the town. It is also wonderful for the people who support it and for the charities that benefit from it.

"Thanks must go to all of the volunteers who work so hard to make the festival what it is. It is a very well organised event, thanks to the great team effort."

This year's main beneficiary is the RNLI appeal to provide new life-jackets for its Weymouth crews.

RNLI community fundraising manager Selina Taylor said: "The life-jackets cost £350 each so it's great to think that proceeds from the festival will go towards something that is quantifiable and that will keep our crews safe."

A raffle held at the festival also raised £1,336 for Dorchester Round Table Children's Wish charity.

This year's main sponsor was Dorset Piddle Brewery. The Piddlehinton based brewers caused a stir with their super-strong 7.1 per cent IPA Lot.

West Dorset CAMRA announced their pubs of the year for 2012. The winner of the rural pub of the year was The Kings Arms at Thornford. The Tiger Inn in Bridport was named best town pub.

Buxton Brewery from Derbyshire took first prize in the best beer competition with their 4.1 per cent Special Pale Ale. Second place went to the Sixpenny Brewery from Sixpenny Handley for their 5.1 per cent Sixpenny IPA.

Mathew Manning