More than 75 real ales and at least 30 ciders and perries will be jostling for your attention at an annual beer and cider festival this weekend.

CAMRA’s East Malling Beer and Cider Festival come to the East Malling Research centre on Saturday, September 2.

Organised by volunteers from the Maidstone and Mid-Kent Branch of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, it will be the eighth year at the venue since it made its return 2010 after a three-year gap.

This year there will be a focus on LocAle brews, CAMRA’s project promoting pubs selling locally-brewed real ale.

Organiser Jeff Tucker said: "We can promise our visitors an excellent selection of real ales and ciders, especially from local breweries and producers. Our free shuttle buses prove extremely popular and we look forward to welcoming Festival regulars as well as event newcomers."

Ian Clennett, chairman of the branch added that the venue was the perfect backdrop to what had become a regular fixture for fans of real ale and cider. "We look forward to a bumper attendance and great weather," he said.

Open from 11am to 7pm, entry is £5, and free to card-carrying CAMRA members.
Entertainment includes live music from Sur Les Docks and Reptilia, and there will be plenty of food on offer.

A free festival shuttle bus service will run every 30 minutes from 11am from Aylesford Station and hourly from West Malling from 10.50am.