SIX-and-a-half pints of ale were were consumed every minute during the 33 hours of the Hawkshead Brewery Beer Festival at Staveley over the weekend.

The event featured 120 different beers from 34 different breweries. Craft beer lovers were able to sample beers rarely seen in Cumbria from the likes of Beavertown, Pressure Drop and Siren.

Attendees could also sample cask cider from Scotland’s Thistly Cross and Prosecco from Fabulous Flutes. There was also, for the first time, a can bar with rare beers from the likes of Marble, Cloudwater, Tiny Rebel and Magic Rock.

Street food was provided by Ambleside's Earthworm Kitchen with their vegan and vegetarian options, Kendal's Pappy's Texas Barbeque with its authentic smoke house cooking and Newcastle's Scream for Pizza. The beer hall kitchen also served an extensive menu including beer battered deep fried ice cream.

“The beer fest is hard work and needs a lot of preparation” said a spokesperson for the brewery. “We love the fact people travel miles to attend and that we get to showcase some of the UK's craft beer scene which we are proud to be part of. Rotating the breweries attending as much as possible keeps the beer list fresh and vibrant.”

Hawkshead was also presented with its CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain NW region Gold (Golden Ale category) award for Cumbrian Five Hop by Caroline O’Donnell of Greater Manchester CAMRA.