HASLEMERE’s annual beer festival went down a treat last Friday and Saturday, with more than 50 real ales, ciders and perries on offer.

Launched at Haslemere Hall 11 years ago by businessman Simon Labrow, the event has gone from strength to strength, and a record crowd from across the South East enjoyed sampling new tipples as well as their favourite brews.

Founded to promote local businesses and raise money for charity, as well as entertain, this year’s event supported The Prostate Project, which is helping to fund a world-class NHS urology centre at Guildford’s Royal Surrey County Hospital. Experienced cellar man Jason Seldon, selected the real ales and started setting up three days before the opening night to let the sediment settle and ensure everything on tap was in top condition.

Musicians including festival fav-ourites Watershed, The Free Radicals and singer songwriter and St Bart’s headteacher Charles Beckerson, entertained the crowd on both evenings.

“It was great,” Simon said. ”We sold out on both evenings and The Prostate Project raised more money than they expected. “Langham Brewery’s ‘Arapaho’ was voted the winner in the people’s choice. We ran so low on real ales by the end of Friday night, we had to quickly get more in for Saturday lunchtime and we increased the varieties on offer from 43 to 46, plus 10 different ciders. There were hardly any left by the end, we were so busy.

“Haslemere’s Station House pub was very supportive, as was the town’s Headcase barbers. Our principal sponsors included Met Therm Windows and I’d like to give special thanks to Jason, Mike Upham, who did the music, and Howard Bicknell, from Haslemere Hall.”