Ale fans will raise their glasses tonight as Gravesend hosts its first town beer festival in eight years.

Time was called on the Gravesend Beer Festival in 2007 when it was staged at The Woodville – but today it will return, this time to the Old Town Hall, with more than 30 cask beers and ciders on offer.

The festival, titled Beer Affects, opens at 6pm and runs until midnight on Saturday, and will also include a whiskey bar, gourmet hot and cold food and live entertainment.

It has been organised jointly by the Old Town Hall and The Windmill Tavern in Shrubbery Road, Gravesend, after the pub’s successful festival last year.

It is sponsored by Truman’s Brewery, which owned many pubs in Gravesend before closing in 1989. The brewery was re-established in 2010 and still uses the original yeast used to brew ales.

Steve Thompson, regional venues manager at the Old Town Hall, said: “The Old Town Hall was built by the Victorians to be the centre of community life in Gravesend.

“It was designed not only to house the council chamber and court room but to be used for celebrations and parties.

“I am delighted that Kent County Council has given me the chance to return the building to the heart of Gravesend.

“The Windmill Tavern is a beautiful country pub on the outskirts of the town centre and Natalie and Paul are very proactive licensees.

“They are working hard to raise the profile of real ale in the town.”

Natalie Wells, from the Windmill Tavern, said: “We are privileged to be involved with the Gravesend beer festival on the back of the success with our festival last year.

“We are also super excited to be working with Trumans, seeing as our pub used to be one of theirs.

“This will be a celebration of real ale.”

Gravesham council is also supporting the festival.

Advance tickets are £5 per day or £10 for three days. Entry on the door will cost £7.50 per day.

Tickets are available at The Woodville box office on 01474 337459 or on 08442 439475.