TODAY marks the commencement of a premier event in Pendle’s social calendar. Yes, it’s the fourteenth Pendle Beer Festival at the Colne Municipal Hall. A three-day beery wing-ding, when Colne Muni becomes a mecca of beer revelry.

It’s organised and run by the East Lancashire branch of CAMRA. Over 100 beers and ciders will be on offer. A showcase of local, regional and national beverages to sample and slake your thirst.

The festival goes from strength to strength. Almost 2,500 attended in 2017. It has changed so much since its inception in 2004.

There’s now such a good range of beer styles - and the number of ales to taste has increased dramatically.

There will be stouts to sours; porters to pilsners and blondes to bitter style beers. An abundance of choice to suit all palates.

So what will titillate your taste buds at this year’s event? Well, permit me to recommend a trio that I will be hunting down.

First up is a big, ballsy, Baltic style porter, courtesy of Keighley brewer, Bridgehouse. Baltic Rum Porter boasts a 6 per cent ABV.

It’s a perfect blend of caramel sweet malt, tangy bitter hops and rum. Matured in wooden casks it’s rich, smooth and deep flavoured with a dry and warming finish - unmissable.

My second recommendation is from Sussex brewery, Dark Star. Their robust Revelation (5.7 per cent) is an American Pale Ale bursting with juicy New World hops. Tropical fruits, slightly sweet and spicy. Dry bittersweet finish - glorious!

The third one to seek out is Stewart’s Edinburgh Gold (4.8 per cent). With bready, floral and fruity aroma you’ll get peachy, floral flavours - and some subtle tartness. It offers a long, dry and pleasant tangy finish. An outstanding golden ale.

It’s also worth noting that the festival will have a dedicated Key-Keg bar for the first time (well done East Lancs CAMRA for this welcome decision). Basically, it is “real ale in a keg” (as confirmed by CAMRA in 2015). Unpasteurised, unfiltered and “live”. It’s well carbonated pressure-dispensed beer that falls within the definition of “real ale” as the CO2 doesn’t come into contact with the beer.

There are eight Key-Keg beers to quench your thirst - and they all look superb! I’m really eager to try a few of these high volume, effervescent and flavoursome beers. I will be plumping for,Coconut Chocolate Porter and Peach Haze IPA from Steam Machine. Plus the awesome Double Abyss Stout from Wishbone.

This celebration of beer commences at 4.30pm until 11pm today. Friday and Saturday is 11.30am-11pm.

Card carrying CAMRA members gain free entry at all times. Woohoo!