ANYONE for a beer festival? Okay, it may not appeal to a few discerning beer drinkers, but a celebration of beer in our locality is always popular and well attended in my experience - a fine social and drinking experience. It’s certainly an ideal opportunity to sample a few new beers, both local and further afield.

So, allow me to highlight Blackburn Beer Festival’s three day event at Blackburn Rugby Club, on the outskirts of the town, commencing on Friday and running over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Over 60 ales have been sourced, plus a selection of ciders and craft lagers. Oh, there is also a gin bar too.

Over a thousand visitors passed through its doors in 2017, hunting down the excellent range of beers on offer. Most of the ales this year will once again be available on hand pull. It’s a preferred option, in my opinion, to gravity dispense.

Glancing down the beer menu, there appears to be an even better selection for 2018. So, permit me to identify and recommend some festival beers that may tempt your palate.

Let’s commence with a traditional Golden Ale style beer: Farm Yard Ales (Cockerham) Hay Bob (3.9%), ticks all the boxes when in pursuit of a crisp thirst-quencher. Caramel malt and grassy aroma leads to sweet malt, grassy and subtle, tangy orange flavours. The fruit lingers in the moderately bitter, dry finish.

Farm Yard Ales brew outstanding beer. They are a regular fixture at the Swan with Two Necks in Pendleton where you will find them in exceptional condition.

Blackedge Brewery from Horwich is another first-class brewer I feel obliged to mention. Their beers are of the highest quality. So, let me point you in the direction of their 4.2% offering, American Pale Ale. Citrus and floral aroma’s continues in the taste. The crisp, refreshing citrus notes from the American West Coast hops presents a delightful balance offering a dry, lemony, hop laden finish - superb!

My next selection is Chillen (4%). A Pale Ale from one of my favourite brewers, Rivington (Chorley). Wow, all their beers are so innovative, modern and of exceptional quality. This session ale is one I haven’t sampled. It’s described as floral and piney with additional melon notes. It’s likely to be zesty, flowery and fruity with maybe a pronounced bittersweet hop presence. I’m sure you will enjoy it.

Finally, a recommended move to the dark side. Prospect (Wigan) Nutty Slack (3.9%) is a delightful, multi-award winning dark mild beer. Roasted malt and chocolate aroma leads to smoky malt, dark chocolate, roasted coffee and subtle nutty flavours with some liquorice and dried fruits lurking too. There’s a dry, smoky, bittersweet finish - a Patsy Slevin brewing masterpiece.

Festival doors are open from 4pm to 11.30pm tomorrow. On Saturday and Sunday it runs from 12.30pm to 11.30pm. Entry is £5 (which includes a pint glass and festival programme) and there is live music on all three nights. Proceeds will go to Blackburn Youth Zone.