Funds raised from Dorchester Beerex 2023 are in the process of being divided up and given to beneficiaries.

The success of the 2023 festival led to it being named '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 event was organised by West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and Dorchester Casterbridge Rotary.

A staggering £23,000 was raised with the primary charity supported for 2023 being the Rober White Centre (RWC), part of Dorset County Hospital.

The centre specialises in patient radiotherapy and cancer care services.

The festival's main sponsor was Cerne Abbas Brewery and the Beerex committee decided to nominate the RWC after brewery co-owner Victor Irvine recently received treatment at the centre.

A cheque for more than £8,000 was presented to the RWC by Beerex Chairman Chris Davies.

Chris said: “It was great to meet with John and to have the privilege of seeing the radiotherapy machine and treatment first-hand. The team here do so much good and we were very pleased to be able to support such a worthwhile local cause. We look forward to hearing how the money was spent."

John Payne, Operational Manager at RWC, said: “This is an amazing donation from such an important local event. We are so grateful to be able to receive this on behalf of our patients- we have many ideas on how the money could be used to benefit the people we treat here in Dorchester and thank everyone involved in their generosity.”

Simon Pearson, Head of Charity at DCH said: "We want to thank the Beerex committee for selecting the RWC for their support, we know that organising these events takes a huge amount of work and we appreciate the efforts of everyone who contributed into making the event such a success."

The Dorchester Youth Club & Community Centre in Kings Rd, Dorchester received £3,400 from the raffle proceeds whilst the Dorchester Mayor’s charity, the Arts Centre and Ellipse also benefitted from the funds raised.

Dorchester Beerex will return on February 2 and 3, 2024.