EXCITEMENT is mounting as Knutsford Beer Festival is only hours away.

The three-day celebration of beer has found a new home, Marshall’s House building in Egerton Place and opens on Thursday, April 28.

More than 40 beers will be on offer, including 15 craft beers and 25 cask beers, plus lager and craft cider.

Knutsford Guardian: Chairman Andrew Malloy, John Macdonald, May Day's town crier who opened the 2019 festival, Smith and volunteers Rachel Bishop and Colin KemsheadChairman Andrew Malloy, John Macdonald, May Day's town crier who opened the 2019 festival, Smith and volunteers Rachel Bishop and Colin Kemshead

New for 2022 is a gin and wine bar provided by Morgan Edwards and an alcohol-free bar sponsored by Barclays.

This year’s event is supporting The Toy Appeal and Knutsford primary schools.

The management company that owns the building, MBOSS, has generously donated the venue to support the charity event.

Knutsford Guardian: Andrew Malloy and Stephen Edmondson build the bar stackingAndrew Malloy and Stephen Edmondson build the bar stacking

Volunteers have raised more than £27,000 for local charities since the festival started in 2014.

Visitors will be welcomed at a marquee in front of the venue where they will receive a festival glass, beer list and a chance to buy tokens which can be exchanged for drinks and food.

Founder Andrew Malloy said: “It is absolutely brilliant to see the Knutsford Beer Festival back up and running after missing the last two years.

Knutsford Guardian: Paul Langley, festival volunteer, Andrew Malloy, festival chairman, Dee Drake, The Toy Appeal, Colin Kemshed, festival volunteerCathryn Walley, Knutsford Primary Schools Ball and Peter Smith, MBOSSPaul Langley, festival volunteer, Andrew Malloy, festival chairman, Dee Drake, The Toy Appeal, Colin Kemshed, festival volunteerCathryn Walley, Knutsford Primary Schools Ball and Peter Smith, MBOSS

“We’ve got an absolutely brilliant combination of the perfect venue, a cracking choice of beers, fantastic food vendors and music throughout plus some really new and innovative additions.

“We can’t wait to open the doors and welcome everyone back.”

Knutsford Guardian: Visitors in the bar room at Knutsford Beer Festival in 2019Visitors in the bar room at Knutsford Beer Festival in 2019

Sessions run on Thursday and Friday evenings and Saturday afternoon and evening.

Tasting masterclasses will be held on Saturday afternoon and live music will be performed at all the evening sessions.

Beer enthusiast David Morgan, who selected the craft beers, said: “We love juicy, hop-forward beer styles at Knutsford Beer Festival.

“We’re proud to have teamed up with some of the biggest names in modern, progressive beer such as Cloudwater, Rivington and Track, local heroes Mobberley Brewhouse and Tatton Brewery, brilliant newcomers like Small Batch Brewing Co and Neighbourhood Brew Co and consistently excellent breweries like Chainhouse and Red Willow that we think deserve more recognition.

“Due to their popularity, we have concentrated on vibrant pale ales and bold IPAs but you will also find some highly rated wild cards in there like Pomona Island’s blackcurrant, elderberry and quince gose and Chapter’s black pepper smoked porter.

“Our keg bar is also vegan-friendly with 13 out of 14 of our beers suitable for a vegan diet.”

Festival tickets cost £10 which includes entry to one session, a tasting glass and first free drink.

Visitors are advised to book as some sessions are close to selling out.

To book visit knutsfordbeerfestival.org.uk