FESTIVAL organisers have hailed their beer and cider event a soaraway success.

The 17th Maldon Beer and Cider Festival, which took place over four days at Plume Academy, saw hundreds of visitors streaming in to sample the best of Britain’s ales and ciders under one roof.

The grand selection included 60 ales, 45 of which were from Yorkshire, and ten ciders.

Brewers from closer to home included Blackwater Brewhouse, Crouch Vale, Maldon Brewing Company, Mighty Oak and Wibblers.

Maldon and Dengie Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) chairman Chris Harvey described the overall event as “very good”.

Mr Harvey said: “The numbers were slightly lower than last year.

“This may have been due to the weather as last year we had a bit more sun.

“However, the feedback was good.

“Some said it was the best selection we have ever had.

“We even had three visitors come all the way from Hamburg, in Germany, to the beer festival for a day.

“They got a flight to Stansted, the train to Chelmsford and a bus from there to Maldon.

“Their flight back was later that evening - they asked for a taxi to take them back to Chelmsford to connect with the train, which we organised for them.

“When they left, they said they had had a thoroughly enjoyable day at the beer festival and that the selection of beers was superb.

“They thought it was a very welcoming and friendly festival.

“They travel to the UK two or three times a year to visit beer festivals, as they are big fans of British beer.”

Mr Harvey added: “The charities there were also pleased because they managed to raise a lot of money.

“The total hasn’t come out yet but I’m sure that it is going into four figures. All in all, it was a big success.”

All photos were taken by Bryn Carter.