A BEER festival that took place across the weekend has been hailed as 'one of the best ever.'

Four sessions ran across two days at the Corn Exchange in Dorchester as beer lovers gathered to taste and champion a variety of ales as well as a selection of ciders and perries. 

The hotly-anticipated was completely sold out across all sessions with plenty of drinks flowing throughout. 

Rich Gabe, from West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), has attended every festival since it began but thought that this year's event topped the lot. He said: "I thought the weekend was tremendous - one of the best ever. 

"I would like to thank all the staff and the Beerex committee who put all the hard work into running the events so smoothly.

"I'd like to thank the customers for coming and hopefully having a great time and raising the most money we have ever raised at the festival."

The event has run every year since 1988 all in the name of charity. Since its beginning, it has raised over £225,000 for local causes. 

Dorset Echo: Victor Irvine and Jodie Moore of Cerne Abbas Brewery who sponsored the event Victor Irvine and Jodie Moore of Cerne Abbas Brewery who sponsored the event (Image: Tom Haris)

This year the chosen charity to benefit from the event was the Robert White Foundation at Dorset County Hospital (DCH) and although an official total is yet to be confirmed, early figures suggest around £20,000 has been raised - a record tally for a Beerex fest. 

The Robert White Centre provides specialist radiotherapy care and outpatient support for cancer patients treated at DCH. 

One of the patients they look after is Victor Irvine, who alongside Jodie Moore runs Cerne Abbas Brewery who sponsored this year's extravaganza. 

Cerne Abbas had a number of beers among the 84 available.  Speaking ahead of the event Mr Irvine said: "It was an honour to be invited to be the main sponsor of the event.

"I am being looked after by the Robert White centre, I have cancer. So being in the position we're in, if we can help and steer the funds towards the centre is great. It puts a bit back. 

"Please drink as much beer as you can to raise as much money as you can for the Robert White Centre. Everyone works so hard here and it's an honour to be part of it."

Dorset Echo: That Britpop Band impressed on the second night That Britpop Band impressed on the second night (Image: Tom Harris)

To complement the booze there were several activities across the weekend including a raffle which raised funds for Dorchester Youth Club.

There was also live entertainment with an acoustic set from guitarist Jack Daniels on the Friday evening before That Britpop Band raised the roof on Saturday, blaring out musical classics from the 90s era - their cover of Pulp's 'Common People' a notable highlight.