BEER connoisseurs will gather next weekend for the chance to taste some of the most innovative tipples in the North.

Hawkshead Brewery at Staveley Mill Yard will be hosting the Northern Craft Beer Fest for three days, starting on March 24.

Some of the most exciting independent northern breweries will be showcasing their craft brews.

Featuring more than 75 beers on cask and keg from 25 different craft breweries there will be cask and keg bars throughout the brewery, with all cask ales served on hand pull, from properly chilled cellars.

"We really try to focus on the very best of the Northern craft brewing scene and bringing the best beer we can to our festivals," said PR manager Michelle Gay. "It's not an easy job choosing the brewery list, we aim to build a diverse list of beer you don't normally find in Cumbria."

The festival will showcase beers such as Allendale, Alphabet, Atom, Blackjack, Cloudwater, Fallen, Fell, Fierce, Fyne Ales, Ilkley, Magic Rock, Mallinsons, Marble, Neptune, North, Pilot, Roosters, Runaway, Salopian, Tempest, Thornbridge, Torrside, Track and Wylam.

Attendees will be able to find a full range of Hawkshead beers on the bars including some rare limited edition specials, such as Tiramisu, Northern Imperial Stout Bourbon Edition, Tonka and Earl Grey and Seville Orange Sour.

A full beer list including tasting notes will be on its social media sites and available to download from the brewery’s website.

Hawkshead has also put together a festival-special menu which will be served on Friday and Saturday, with Sunday returning to its normal menu, which includes beer tapas and a Sunday roast.

There will be be chilled ambient music from a DJ on both Friday and Saturday evenings.

Northern Craft Beer Fest opens at 12pm on March 24 and runs throughout the weekend. No ticket is necessary and Hawkshead does not charge an entrance fee to customers.