MORE than 4,000 pints of real ale was supped over the weekend as Knutsford held its second beer festival.

Organisers have told the Guardian the event proved to be an astounding success with more visitors, more beer sold and even more money raised then ever before.

The event, which took place this weekend at the Old Town Hall, saw more than 1,000 beer enthusiasts pass through the doors, with early estimates suggesting that the money raised from the event has already exceeded that raised in 2014, which could result in even more money going to local charities this year.

New for this year, the 2015 Beer Festival opened with an exclusive sponsors event on the Thursday evening as a way to thank this years sponsors including Stirling Lloyd, Monckton Properties, Event Buddha, Beans Accounting and Business Support, Foundation Piling, Tatton Brewery and 50 local business cask sponsors.

Guest speakers included Ian Cass of Hunters Gin, Nick Johnson of Altrincham Market and Paul Buttrick, Master Brewer, with music provided by Rick Whitehead.

As Knutsford Admin, sponsors and guests at the VIP event, commented ‘congratulations to the organisers of the 2015 Festival, it has got off to a fantastic start’.

The main festival continued over the Friday evening, Saturday afternoon and Saturday evening, with beer enthusiasts consuming a fantastic array of real ales from across the North West all swallowed down with some great food.

With music performances at each session, the event culminated in a feet tapping, beer swilling show by the swarthy sea dogs of Galleon Blast featuring Mark Radcliffe which was summed up best by Dave Neville, local resident, saying ‘great ales, good vibe, happy smiling faces - roll on next years festival’.

Knutsford Mayor, Neil Forbes said: "I’m very impressed with how the local businesses have come together as cask, event, entertainment and glass sponsors to raise money for our local charities."

The Beer Festival Committee would think to thank Monckton Properties for the use of the Old Town Hall as our fantastic venue again, and also Knutsford Hosts, Knutsford Lions and all the other volunteers who made this year’s event such a resounding success.