ULVERSTON Beer Festival brewed up a ‘great time’ for revellers at the weekend as the annual event celebrated its 31st year.

More than 1,000 beer and cider-lovers descended on the Coronation Hall to wet their whistles with the latest concoctions from the South Cumbria area as well as the rest of the UK.

Throughout the three-day event, organised by Furness Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), there were 82 beers and over 20 ciders to choose from.

Furness CAMRA chairman Dave Stubbins said: “Once again we’ve had a great time.

“This festival brings visitors to Ulverston from all over the country.

“So, it’s good for us and the local economy.

“People will come to festival and then go into the town centre and try out a few of the pubs, so in that respect it’s an important day of the year.

“It’s a chance for people to come together to try the best beers and ciders from across Cumbria and for the folk in the South Lakes to try new beers and ciders from other areas of the UK too. We’ve seen around 1,400 people at our festival this year.

“And over the three days there’s been between 40 to 50 volunteers helping us.”

The festival was the perfect opportunity for Ulverston Brewing Company, on Lightburn Road, to officially launch the new Pilsner beer, the Ulversteiner.

“The Ulversteiner has gone down very well with festivalgoers, which is great to see for a local brewing firm,” said Mr Stubbins.

“The festival is vital to Ulverston, which has four brewing businesses nearby including Ulverston Brewing Company, South Lakes Brewing Company, Old Friends Brewing, and Stringers Beer Brewery.

“It’s a perfect opportunity to showcase Ulverston’s talent for brewing. We try to create a balance for all the brewers travelling to us from across the country.”

The Blueberry Oatmeal Stout sold out after the first day.

“We’re known as a friendly festival and a lot of CAMRAs from around the UK say we’re the best festival,” said Mr Stubbins.