Ale-lovers from all over the country will raise a glass or two as the Norwich City of Ale festival returns for a sixth year with a 10-day celebration of pubs and breweries.

Eastern Daily Press: The 2016 Norwich City of Ale event is launched at the Sir Garnet by co-chairs Dawn Leeder and Phil Cutter and supporters, landlords and brewery owners.PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAYThe 2016 Norwich City of Ale event is launched at the Sir Garnet by co-chairs Dawn Leeder and Phil Cutter and supporters, landlords and brewery owners.PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAY (Image: ARCHANT NORFOLK)

The plans for the hugely successful event were revealed at the Sir Garnet pub, and organisers hope this year's line-up will prove to be the best yet.

Visitors will get the chance to sample more than 250 beers at some 280 events planned for 45 pubs and 41 breweries across the city.

The fantastic calendar includes barbecues, live gigs, pub quizzes and 'meet the brewer' evenings.

The festival, co-chaired by Dawn Leeder and Phil Cutter, gets started on May 26 with a launch party at the Narthex at the Cathedral of John the Baptist.

The Business Improvement District is also involved, not only in sponsoring the event but also inviting the City Hosts along to aid in helping the beer-drinking public through the festival itself.

In tandem with this, a seminar will be held for the Hosts in order to better prepare them for the onslaught of beer-related queries from festival-goers and city dwellers alike.

Last year's event saw up to 90pc of city landlords reporting greater customer numbers than usual during the festival, according to Ms Leeder.

With Norwich's three year agreement to host CAMRA's Winter Festival at St Andrews Hall kicking off this year, the city has placed itself firmly on the radar of many beer enthusiasts.

The brewing heritage of Norwich and Norfolk is there for all to see, with big name brewers such as Grain and Woodforde's in the county.

As well as this, Ms Leeder also stated her belief that the north Norfolk coast has the 'best malt and barley in the world'.

While local people may enjoy the festival, they will also reap other rewards – including an increase in trade and work for local bartenders, landlords and glass collectors.

The festival runs from May 26 until June 5. More details about the event are available at cityofale.org.uk/2016