ALLOA ale lovers will be spoilt for choice next weekend with around 60 cask beers and real ciders flowing from the taps.

The town hall will host the 26th annual Alloa Cask Ale and Cider Festival on Friday and Saturday, October 27-28, with a range of entertainment across the two days.

Organised each year by the Forth Valley branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), the event will showcase the best traditional drinks from brewers in the Wee County and beyond.

The town's very own Oktoberfest, the occasion is sponsored by Fallen Brewing and Devon Ales – the latter is celebrating its 25 years of beer making and will be showcasing a special commemorative anniversary ale.

CAMRA's George Thomson, one of the muscles and minds behind the scenes, outlined why he fell in love with real ales.

He told the Advertiser: "No two beers taste the same, every pint you have can taste completely different.

"There's something for everyone – if you like something very hoppy, fruity, if you like dark beers, light beers.

"You don't get the gas in the beer, which means you don't get bagged up like you do at the pub."

He added: "I think a lot of people who don't like ale, or say they don't like ale – it's because they have not found the one or the type that's right for them."

George also revealed this year's event will have a Halloween theme with decorations and a prize for the best fancy dress costume coming through the doors.

CAMRA advocates good quality real ale, ciders and perries and promotes good pub culture to make sure they are thriving places in every community where people can get together and socialise.

The pints will be pulled by volunteers and a regional judging session is also expected to take place to decide on the area's champion beer.

As for the entertainment, the two days will see two live gigs – on the Friday, Edinburgh five-piece Revival Blues will bring a vast array of blues and soul tunes from the past 50 years to get the party going in the town hall.

Rocking the venue on Saturday will be another five-piece in Reckless who are promising to turn the month into "Reck-tober" and to pull out all the stops from 7.30pm.

Hot food will also be available on both days to go along with the around 60 different real ales and ciders.

Doors will open at 1pm for CAMRA members on Friday, and 3pm for the public, with the event closing at 11pm.

The next day will start at 12noon for everyone and the drink will keep flowing until 11pm.

Tickets are £6 at the door, £4 for CAMRA members and includes a commemorative pint glass and programme.