Change of date for Shrewsbury beer festival
A popular beer festival has been forced to move its usual November date forward due to "dreadful" weather for revellers during previous years.
This year's Shrewsbury Beer Festival is taking place from September 24 to 26 at the Morris Hall, Bellstone – two months earlier than its usual date.
One of the event's organisers, Norrie Porter, said: "The weather was just dreadful for last year's festival.
"It was just so wet and cold to the point we were worried about the people that were standing in the queue, so that's why we decided to change it. Years ago the festival took place during early September so it's a bit of a compromise between the two previous dates."
The date change falls on the event's 25th anniversary year and to celebrate organisers are trying to find as many silver-themed beers as possible.
Mr Porter added: "We're also pretty sure that some brewers will brew some specials to mark the occasion."
Real ale enthusiasts will be spoilt for choice at the festival, with more than 80 on offer over the course of the event.
Mr Porter said he's looking forward to the festival, which he says in particular specialises in new beers.
As in previous years Shropshire brewers have the challenge of vying for the title of Champion beer of Shropshire and this year West Midlands brewers can battle it out to create the Champion strong mild. Both competition winners are selected by an independent panel.
In the past more than 1,000 real ale drinkers have turned out to the festival.
Mr Porter said: "It's going to be a good one and what I love about it is watching so many people enjoying a really good pint of real ale. I can't wait."
