REAL ales and local gins were the toast day at the 12th successful annual Haslemere Beer Festival held in the town last weekend.

Returning to the Haslemere Hall the event offered up something for everyone with 42 real ales, 10 ciders and for the first time 10 gins available to whet people’s pallets.

Expertly selecting the beers was Jay Seldon with his wife Jules responsible for the gins, many of which were local.

Music, managed by Charles Beckerson, was very well-received with Country and Western, Americana, rock and pop all making the grade with festival-goers.

The extremely strong line-up featured Will Shepherd, Peach and The Prairie Dogs, Water-shed and The Beckerson Brothers on Friday evening and Yukon Bass, The Genuine Counterfeits, The Free Radicals and Audiotonic on Saturday.

Haslemere Rugby Club used the festival to network successfully making contact with new players, coaches and referees as well as putting their Haslemere Hare on display.

The charity raffle raised more than £1,000 for The Prostate Project based in Guildford. Representatives from the charity also chatted to attendees and provided information inviting any man over 45 to attend a special PSA blood testing session at The Georgian House Hotel, in the High Street, taking place on Saturday, September 22.

Beer Festival chairman Simon Labrow said “We had another great year thanks to the small team that put in so much work to make the event happen.

“Jay and Jukes Seldon, Howard Bicknell and his team at Haslemere Hall, chefs Guy Davenport and Chris Oldham and their assistants, all the volunteers before, during and after the event – and, of course, the bands.”

Thanks also went to the festival’s ‘fantastic supporters’ including Met Therm Windows; Clarke Gammon Wellers; Paul Quantrill Architect; The Shoe Box and The Gurkha Durbar restaurant, in Grayshott.

“It was great so many people attended this year again and to see more non beer drinkers enjoying the gin which will be an even bigger feature of next years event,” added Simon.