BEER lovers are in for a treat over the next few days, as the St Albans Beer Festival kicks off tonight (Wednesday).

Now in its 16th year, the festival, organised by CAMRA South Herts Branch, offers a number of beers, ciders and perries for visitors to enjoy.

Deputy Mayor Cllr Geoff Harrison will be officially opening the festival, which runs at the Alban Arena until Saturday (October 1), at 7pm tonight.

Cllr Harrison said: “I am very pleased that there are nine breweries from Hertfordshire providing 40 different beers for local people to taste.

“The St Albans Beer Festival has now become a national event in the calendar for beer connoisseurs and is one of the largest in the south of England, so we’re delighted that it has become part of St Albans City and District Council’s Food and Drink Festival.”