The popular Delapre Beer Festival has opened its doors, just three months after county ale lovers feared it would not happen.
Northants CAMRA decided to take a year off from staging the festival, prompting a huge outpouring of support for the event to still go ahead.
So Northampton Borough Council stepped in to host the event, ably supported by the Wig and Pen pub.
The festival is open until 11pm today, from midday to 11pm tomorrow and 11am to 11pm on Saturday.
It features 302 real ales, 60 ciders, 12 country wines and a gin tent.
All bar staff are volunteers, and are mainly Northampton Borough Council employees.
Councillor Brandon Eldred (Con, East Hunsbury), cabinet member for community engagement, said: “It has been a challenge. It’s something myself and the events team have never done before.
“We have had three months to do it and we are pretty pleased with the outcome. Normally, CAMRA takes 11 months to organise it.
“There has been some fantastic teamwork with the Wig and Pen, and my team have been fantastic. Hopefully everyone will have a great weekend.”
Council leader, Councillor David Mackintosh, (Con, Rectory Farm), said: “We were worried that it would not go ahead, so it is a really good chance for people to come and see Delapre Abbey, and enjoy the festival.”
Richard Gordon, landlord of the Wig and Pen, and colleague Craig Johnson lifted every one of the 302 beer kegs into place - a job which took them seven hours.
He said: “It is showcasing the best of Northamptonshire. We have also got beers from the north, right down to Cornwall.”
Myles Maher, aged 63, of Chester was in the area visiting family, and called in for an ale.
He said: “Its nice, but it would be better if the weather was nice. I know from my local in the Wirral that more and more young people are drinking ale now.”
Daniel Cowan, aged 27, of Wootton, said: “It’s my first festival. I’m not normally a real ale drinker, but there are 300 so there are plenty to choose from.
“It’s a good day out. We will definitely be coming back.”