A BEER and cider festival is to return to the county for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

Thousands of pints are set to be poured at the South Downs Beer and Cider Festival at Lewes Town Hall on June 17 to 18.

It is the first time the event has been held since the start of the pandemic, with the events in 2020 and 2021 cancelled due to coronavirus concerns.

The festival, which is organised by The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) will offer visitors a selection of beers, ciders and perries.

Peter Mitchell, a Camra committee member, said: “Hot and cold food with veggie options will also be on sale as well as soft drinks, teas and coffees at all times.

“Tickets for the popular Friday night and Saturday lunchtime sessions always sell very quickly, so early purchase is advised.”

Tickets go on sale on May 1, with prices ranging from £5 to £7.

A free festival glass and a programme are included in the price of a ticket, with two beer tokens to card-carrying Camra members.

The festival this year will be raising money for St Peter and St James Hospice, based in Chailey.

The last event was held in June 2019, with the proceeds going to the Bevern Trust in Barcombe.

In 2018, festival-goers got through 22,680 pints of beer and a further 15,500 pints of cider and perry.

Camra was formed in March 1971 by four men from northwest England who were disillusioned by the domination of the UK beer market by a handful of companies pushing products of low flavour and overall quality on to consumers.

The voluntary organisation’s aims are to champion good quality real ale, ciders and perries and to encourage thriving pubs in every community.

Tickets to the festival are available from www.brightoncamra.org.uk/ The following outlets are also selling tickets: Evening Star in Surrey Street, Brighton, Harvey’s Brewery Shop, Gardeners Arms and Brewers Arms, Lewes.