DOZENS of ales stole the show last night at the first evening of the East Anglian Daily Times sponsored beer festival.

DOZENS of ales stole the show last night at the first evening of the East Anglian Daily Times sponsored beer festival.

More than 1,500 people are expected to attend the event at the Museum of East Anglian Life's 75-acre site.

The 12th Stowmarket Festival of Beer and Brewing continues until Sunday , and CAMRA will be offering visitors the chance to sample up to 60 East Anglian real ales and a number of ciders at the beautiful heavily beamed Abbots Hall barn.

Regular festival-goer Bob Scott, from Stowmarket, said: “It's a very social event, a chance to see old friends and new.

“The taste of beer from local breweries is excellent. There is the opportunity to try the variety of tastes and strengths and sample things you may not have had before, broadening your experience of real ale.”

Mike Jones, an engineer from Birmingham who is in Stowmarket for the weekend visiting friends, said: “I try and come down every other year for the event, its huge fun.

“I can think of few more pleasurable ways to spend an evening than relaxing with wonderful beers, listening to music in such a beautiful old barn.”

Angus Mcfadzen, estate manager at the site, said: “The beer festival is one of our favourite events in the year. It is very popular and a chance to see all our friends local and from afar to enjoy the pleasures from local breweries.

“We are very excited to be able to work with CAMRA who have done an amazing job of turning our tithe barn into a mini brewery where you can choose from a large selection of real ales. This is all set within a beautiful area in the estate grounds.”

The event's opening hours are today from 12noon to 11pm, tomorrow from 11am to 11pm, and Sunday, from 12noon until 3pm.

N For more details call the museum on 01449 612229, visit the website at www.eastanglianlife.org.uk or e-mail enquiries@eastanglianlife.org.uk