Hosted at the Territorial Army centre in Oxford Road, Banbury, and organised by North Oxfordshire's branch of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, the three-day festival saw nearly 1,600 people walk through the gates and well over 6,300 pints consumed.

Organiser and chairman of the CAMRA branch, Mark Bates, said: "It has certainly been the biggest and best one yet.

"We suffered a bit last year because it was in March and the weather wasn't great but this year it has been fantastic.

"People have come from all over the place, I was speaking with two guys from Middlesbrough on Friday and everyone has clearly been enjoying themselves."


To view a slideshow of pictures from the event, click 'play' on the panel above.


In recognition of Liverpool's year as the European Capital of Culture, the festival ran with a North West theme.

Among the drinks available were 25 from that region of England, alongside other local favourites like Hook Norton Brewery's newly-unveiled Banbury 400 ale.

Beginning last Thursday, the event ran until Saturday evening when crowds were also treated to entertainment from two Morris dancing groups and several local singer/songwriters.

Mr Bates said: "It is staffed completely by volunteers and the profits go back into CAMRA.

"Every year the festival grows and welcomes lots of new visitors and this has kept up that trend."

With many of the beers coming from the renowned Hook Norton Brewery, their famous horses and dray also paid a visit to the festival on Saturday, proving a popular attraction for real ale enthusiasts.