REAL ale fans steamed back to the East Anglia Railway Museum for the crowd-pulling Chappel Beer Festival.

Most sessions were sell-outs at the bumper beer bonanza, which ran from Tuesday to Saturday.

Giles Adams, of Hopleaf catering, grills burgers, bratwurst and sausages

Simon, Elaine and Micky Thompson and Stephen Byrne, from Colchester

Beer buffs knocked back about 10,000 pints over the five-day festival, run by the Campaign For Real Ale.

More than 150 real ales and ciders were on sale in the historic Victorian Goods Shed and Shunters Arms Bar, which made its comeback for the first time after the pandemic, with a range of beers including those from the Wakes Colne-based Colchester Brewery nearby.

Adrian Simpson, from Maldon, keeps dry under a beer towel with pal David Banks

Camra's Alun Primmer said: "The bar has been a feature for the last 25 years but hasn't been here for the last couple of years and isn't here at the winter festival.

"It's the first year back after Covid, but it's been just as good as previous years."

Drinkers shelter from a brief shower

The Company of Runners staged a five-mile race ahead of Saturday's session.

Spokesman John Stoneman said: "We do it at every Chappel Beer Festival and then some come in and enjoy themselves with a few beers."

Christopher Mullin travelled down from near Pitlochry, in Scotland, selling his Rookery Craft Mead from a 9th Century Viking-style tent.

He also appears at other history-based events in Colchester and at Hedingham Castle.

Lucy Holton, Louise Jeffery and Sarah Parker enjoy the atmosphere

Christopher Mullin, from near Pitlochry, in Scotland, in his Viking tent at the Rookery Craft Mead bar

Festival organiser Brendan Sothcott said: "We've had about 160 beers this year so that's 10,240 pints. We tend to veer towards south east, east of England and London beers.

"This is the 35th beer festival. It should have been the 36th but we missed one in 2020 because of Covid.

"There are still some restrictions in place but we are gradually building it back up and perhaps next year we'll be bigger again.

"It will be a step at a time."

Camra's John Lucas and colunteer co-ordinator Martin Gibbons

Camra's Alun Primmer and Mike Wood, of the Colchester Brewery, in the reopened Shunters Arms bar

Adrian Simpson and David Banks had come from Maldon to sample the tipples on offer.

Adrian sheltered under a beer towel during a brief shower.

He said: "We've been coming every year probably for about 20 years in a row and I think this is only the second time it's ever rained."

Sarah Parker, from Glemsford, Suffolk, was at the festival with pals Lucy Holton and Louise Jeffery, from Stamford, Lincs.

Lucy said: "It's amazing beer and a great location - my dad would love it!"

Sarah added: "It's just the best beer festival in the UK."

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