Ticket sales for this summer's Great British Beer Festival are up by 32% on last year, and organisers are hoping for a bumper event.
Last year, more than 64,000 beer-lovers crammed into Earls Court in London to enjoy tasting the wide selection of the country's finest tipples. This year the event will take place from 3 to 7 August, and as usual the trade gets to preview the event on the opening day.
Louise Ashworth, head of marketing at the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), said: "With advanced ticket sales so far up an impressive 32% on last year, CAMRA has high hopes that this Great British Beer Festival will be one of its most successful to date.
"Across the UK, CAMRA beer festivals have continued to report record attendance figures and increases in sales. And with our own research showing that 50% of pub-goers have now tried real ale, this August at Earls Court will be an exciting time for brewers to come together and champion our national drink."
Marston's has this year agreed to sponsor the festival glass, which is distributed to every visitor on their arrival, while St Austell Brewery is the official T-shirt sponsor.
The ever-popular tutored tastings have all been confirmed — highlights include Melissa Cole's American beer-tasting and MA columnist Roger Protz's "300 beers to taste before you die".