A FLAGSHIP beer festival is set to return to Alloa this weekend following a Covid hiatus.

The 29th Alloa Cask Ale and Cider Festival, organised by the Forth Valley branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), will go ahead over two days this weekend.

Starting on Friday, November 11, dozens of ales and ciders will be available at Alloa Town Hall from 1pm.

The Saturday, November 12, will see the day start at 12noon with both days coming to a close at 11pm.

Those heading along will also have the chance to enjoy a wine, gin and Prosecco bar put on by Stirling Gin along with live music, hot food by Cambusbarron butchers Michael R More and soft drinks on both days.

Entry is £5 at the door, £3 to CAMRA members and admission is free to subsequent sessions on show of the festival glass.

The last time the festival was able to go ahead was in 2019 before the pandemic struck and volunteers at CAMRA could hardly wait for its return.

Wendy Ross, the branch's publicity officer, told the Advertiser: “We are looking forward to welcoming everybody that's either been in the past or people that haven't been.

“A lot of the committee have been at other real ale festivals and seen how popular they are, there is an appetite for it.

“We are really looking forward to it.”

The Wee County's Harviestoun Brewery are the festival's main sponsors and will be bringing four of their creations with around 60 beers to be available altogether along with some 18 ciders.

There is a focus on beers from the area with programme sponsors and pub of the year winners Devon Ales from the Wee County, Allanwater Brewery from Bridge of Allan, Hybrid Brewing from Grangemouth, Tryst Brewery from Larbert, SLOPEmeisteR from Airth and more bringing their beers to the festival.

Live music will see an acoustic set by Stuart Blackwood while Audiothieves will be playing on the Saturday.

The festival will very much follow the same format as in previous years with the addition of contactless payment options.

Volunteers are also being sought to help out at the festival with set up, break down and behind the bar, visit forthvalley.camra.org.uk and fill out the form.