THE Ulverston Beer Festival is returning to Ulverston's Coronation Hall to celebrate the brewing culture of the area.

Run by the Campaign for Real Ale, the festival will offer the public 100 ales, beers, ciders and perries for eager punters to sample.

David Stubbins, branch chairman of the Furness Campaign for Real Ale said:

"We're quite excited; we're very optimistic this year. We're raring to go."

Real ale and craft beers have undergone a revival over the past decade.

Popular chains such as Brew Dog and groups such as CAMRA have brought back to life the enthusiasm people had for proper beer and ale.

Mr Stubbins said: "There is no doubt that they sell much better beers. They are better than the keg beers that you had in the 70s when CAMRA started."

Festivals such as this are a chance for members of the public to try something that they never have before.

And, for Mr Stubbins, the sheer scale of what is on offer is key to the festival.

He said: "I think the most important thing is the range and quality of beers that are on offer.

"From beers that are light, to stout, porter and milds, which are superb beers but hard to find.

"We have people come in and say 'I'm normally a lager drinker, what can I drink?'

"We say, if you've got time, look with your mouth not your eyes, and maybe try a porter."

The Campaign for Real Ale has been running since 1973, when four men decided to take a stand against the poor quality of beer in British pubs.

Since 1973, membership has risen from four to more than 175,000 members from across the world.

The movement has never been stronger, with Ulverston pubs now offering dozens of real ales.

There are 15 breweries and micro breweries in the Furness area alone.

There are also plans for a craft beer shop to open in Market Street in the near future.

After working with CAMRA for 10 years, that is exactly what Mr Stubbins wants to see.

He said: "I want to see the proliferation of real ale, and support for the local breweries and the range of beers that they are producing."

The festival starts today at 4pm at the Coronation Hall in Ulverston.

The hall will also be open on Friday and Saturday from 4pm to 11pm, with live entertainment on the Saturday from a four-piece band, The Bluegrass Project.

Entry is £2 for members of the public, or free to CAMRA members.

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