A now hardy annual in a city’s calendar of cherished events will receive a civic seal of approval when it gets underway tomorrow (Wednesday, August 30) afternoon.

The 41st Durham Beer will be officially started by the city’s Mayor, councillor Lesley Mavin, who will ceremonially pull the first pint.

It will be the first of many poured by volunteers from the Durham branch of the Campaign for Real Ale over the four day-run of the revived festival.

Following a two-year absence, due to Covid and the knock-on restrictions enforced during the pandemic, the branch staged a successful return last year, at the relatively new venue of the clubhouse at Durham City Rugby Club’s Hollow Drift ground, off Green Lane.

The beer is flowing again in Durham at the city's 40th annual real ale celebration

Town crier, Colin Clark, heralded the return of the festival, which by common consent whet the whistle for real ale enthusiasts visiting from across the region.

The Northern Echo:

Branch chair Paul Dobson said: “We'll be showcasing local ales among over forty available brews, and there will also be eight ciders and perries, including one from Durham's very own Elvet Cider Company.

“We've had great support from local pubs, clubs, and other businesses as well as individuals which has made the selection of beers much easier.

“We'll be staffed entirely by volunteers from Durham and beyond, and we’re delighted to have the Mayor coming to officially get things underway on Wednesday afternoon.”

At any stage it is hoped there will be a range of 25 beers from which to choose, with others held “in reserve” to top up supplies.

Read more: Durham Beer Festival: What we know as event returns for its 40th staging

Many favoured regional breweries, including Maxim, Big Lamp, Durham, Hill Island, George Samuel, GNEB, Yard of Ale, Consett, Hadrian Border, Hopper House, McColl’s, Darwin and North Pier, will be supplying the festival, plus a few from further afield, including Hop Back, from as far south as Salisbury, in Wiltshire, and northwards to Harviestoun of Alva, in Clackmannanshire.

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The doors open at 4pm, on Wednesday August 30, but the beer will be flowing from 12-noon on each of the three days thereafter, from Thursday to Saturday (September 2), with ‘last orders’ called at 10.30pm on all four days of the festival.

As it remains the school holidays, accompanied children will be permitted to attend, but only until 7pm on each day.

Further information is available on Facebook, via /CAMRADurhamBeerFestival, or on Twitter @durhambeerfest2, or on www.durhambeerfestival.org.uk/, the festival website.