Beccles' very own beer festival will be returning for the fifth year, showcasing local breweries and raising money for the town's lido.

Eastern Daily Press: Preparations are under way for the 2016 Beccles Beer Festival at the Public Hall.Preparations are under way for the 2016 Beccles Beer Festival at the Public Hall. (Image: ©archant2016)

The event, which is now firmly established as a major event on the Beccles calendar, will be held at the Public Hall next Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 18 to 20.

It will feature 30 carefully selected real ales, along with craft lager and cider, from 25 breweries within 30 miles of Beccles. And the programme also includes gluten free, vegan and beers exclusive to the festival.

Waveney district councillor Graham Elliott, who has again masterminded the festival, said: 'We want the Beer Festival to be a celebration of local produce and local music and yet another reason for people to come to Beccles. But above all, it is a community event for the people of Beccles in the Public Hall which is another fantastic community owned facility in the heart of the town.'

Visitors can again vote for the 'Beer of the Festival', and last year's winner, Opa Hay's 1914, will be back again to defend the title.

The organisers are keen to stress that the festival is not just for men, and on Friday night in particular it will be ladies night behind the bar. Everyone involved with the festival is a volunteer, and the Beccles and Bungay Journal team will be back pulling pints again this year.

Shaun Crowley, chief executive of Beccles Lido Limited, which runs the lido and the Public Hall, said: 'Not only is the Beer Festival the lido's big fundraiser of the year, but it also brings large numbers of people into our wonderful Public Hall and into the town from all over East Anglia – great for the Beccles economy, with town centre pubs and restaurants in previous years all reporting one of their busiest weekends, as Beer Festival visitors sample the other delights of the town.'

There will be music on Friday from 7pm featuring celtic folk fusion from Aartwork and old school blues from Owl and Wolves, and Saturday from 7pm will see Vibe City Street Brass playing pop, rock and soul anthems, followed by festival favourites Murphys Lore.

Back by popular demand will be a Silent Pub Quiz on the Saturday afternoon with beer related questions displayed on the big screen and prizes donated by Adnams.

Hot and cold snacks will be available, as well as soft drinks, wine and spirits from the newly refurbished Public Hall bar.

The festival will run from 4pm to 11pm on November 18, noon to 11pm on November 19 and noon to 6pm on November 20, when off-license sales will also be available of any left over ale. Admission to the festival is free.

For more details www.facebook.com/becclesbeerfestival