DRINKERS raised a toast to the return of a popular beer festival based in an historic fort which saw more than 4,000 pints enjoyed.

The Redoubt Fort beer festival didn’t take place last year due to Government restrictions but finally made its highly-anticipated return during the weekend.

It had been two years since real ale lovers had had the opportunity to cross the moat at the Redoubt to enjoy a beer festival and hundreds turned out for the four days of the festival.

Organised by Paul Mellor of the Harwich Town Brewing Company and his team, the event saw 1,100 happy drinkers enjoy 4,200 pints.

They were also able to enjoy the opportunity of socialising with like-minded people again who were all cautiously taking advantage of the chance to be at a beer festival again.

Mr Mellor said it was a “joyous occasion”, adding: “We took all possible precautions and worked alongside the Harwich Society’s fantastic Redoubt Fort team to make the festival as Covid secure as possible.

“Everyone approached the occasion with a sense of responsibility and, this being said, everyone was determined to enjoy themselves and it was a truly joyous occasion.”

He explained the festival is always a physically demanding event and this year’s was even more so than usual, with the team exhausted by the time the last of the bars had been packed away.

“I think it is fair to say that we were all totally exhausted,” Mr Mellor added, “but, very happy and very pleased to have had such wonderful feedback from those who supported the festival.

“Hopefully, by next year we will not have to be thinking about anything other than enjoying the beers in the best setting I know for a beer festival.”