The annual beer festival at Oxford Town Hall got off to a busy start.

The three-day festival is organised by the Oxford branch of real ale group CAMRA and is celebrating its 25th year at the St Aldate's venue.

This year drinkers will be able to enjoy 140 real ales, 20 ciders and perries and, for the first time, up to 40 craft keg beers as the festival is also hosting a regional competition for the Society of Independent Brewers.

READ MORE: Barrels arrive at Oxford Town Hall 

The festival opened at 3pm yesterday and by 4.30pm volunteers were kept busy pouring beers.

Oxford CAMRA spokesman Dave Richardson said: "There have been a steady flow of people coming in since we opened - it looks like we are set for a very successful three days."

At least 10 breweries from Oxfordshire are represented, proving that the local brewing scene is buoyant despite the loss of names such as Wychwood and White Horse.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) More than 2,000 people are expected to attend, and the increase from 100 real ales last year to 140 means there will be plenty left to try on the Saturday, unlike last year when all the beer sold out and the event had to close early.

Mr Richardson said earlier: "The latest figures show that production of real or cask ale is falling as the big multi-national breweries focus increasingly on mass produced keg beer, with Marston’s – now 100 per cent owned by Carlsberg – closing breweries including Wychwood in Witney.

“But independent breweries are stepping in to fill the gap, with the Independent Beer Report for 2024 showing that SIBA members have increased real ale production by 10 per cent to 63 per cent of their total.

"SIBA is staging its own competition for the Midlands region at our festival, and we are delighted to welcome them."

Volunteer Robert Patterson said he was pleased to be serving drinks at the festival for the second year running.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) One beer proving popular was Titanic's Plum Porter, which is served regularly at The Royal Blenheim pub in St Ebbe's.

As well as beers, there are also 20 ciders and perries, which this year are located in the main hall next to the beer bar.

The festival has been backed by the city council's deputy leader Ed Turner.

He said before the festival got under way: “The atmosphere at the festival is incredible, and the Oxfordshire brewing scene has really blossomed in recent years.

"To have these independent names showcased at the town hall is great for the city."

The event runs from 11am-11pm today and 12-9pm on Saturday.

Entry will cost £18 (CAMRA members £15) including non-returnable glass and £10 of tokens.

Online booking for Thursday and Friday only is available: https://tckty.camra.org.uk/e/289/oxford-beer-cider-festival-2024

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

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