GALLONS of cider, 45 county beers, hundreds of volunteer hours and 900 eager festival goers made the first Knutsford Beer Festival a resounding success.

The festival, an idea that was seeded many years ago at Knutsford Sports Club by Neil Brannen, finally came together at the weekend – and demand even extended the festival by a day.

Festival committee members dedicated their own time over the many months it took to create the event and they hope it will now become a regular annual feature in Knutsford’s event calendar.

Festival chairman, town councillor Andrew Malloy, said: "The festival was a fantastic success and we have proved the concept for the event. Massive thanks to the people of Knutsford for supporting the festival and I'm over the moon with how it all went."

Tatton Estate Management donated the building usage to Knutsford Beer Festival – the Old Town Hall.

Henry Brooks from Tatton Estate said: “Following the success of the Knutsfordian Exhibition, Monckton Properties Ltd (part of the Tatton Estate) were delighted to be able to lend the Town Hall for the inaugural Knutsford Beer Festival.

"The Estate are hugely supportive of any initiative that brings more footfall into the town centre and brings the community together. Knutsford is a special place and we are delighted to have been part of the team to help make this fantastic event happen".

Bar sponsor Robinsons brewery, donated a two casks, Trooper and Hoptimal Prime, both were sell-outs. John Robinson delivered the beer to the town hall beer personally. Robinson's Brewery also supplied the festival with cellar support to get the first batch of beers onto the pumps.

John said: "It was great to be involved with the Knutsford Beer Festival, it was a fantastic occasion in a great location, hopefully the first of many.

“Knutsford is synonymous with great food and drink and now it has a fantastic Beer festival to add to its portfolio of amazing events."

Tatton Brewery's rich and dark "Obscure" was a total sell-out. One of the four donated Crowning Glory casks was amongst the first beers to run out part way through the Saturday afternoon!

Greg Sawyer from Tatton Brewery said "Great to see local beer aficionados enjoying local beer. Knutsford's inaugural beer festival was a major achievement, and a credit to the enthusiasm and commitment of the organising committee - and we brewers had fun too.

"I appreciate the generosity of the beer festival committee in helping us donate to the Royal May Day parade."