A hugely popular beer and cider festival is returning for its 18th year.

Weymouth Octoberfest at Weymouth Pavilion's Ocean Room is going back to King Alfred’s Dark Ages.

The festival organised by CAMRA volunteers will be held on Friday and Saturday, October 4 and 5.

The festival is split into four sessions running each day from 11am until 4pm and 6.30pm until 11.30pm.

For 2024, the guest brewery will be Copper St Brewery of Dorchester which will be in attendance with a selection of their brews, plus a one-off festival special brewed by the Octoberfest committee.

The regional theme this year will be beer and cider from King Alfred’s Wessex region when he took the throne of Wessex in 871AD,

Customers can expect to drink from breweries and cider makers from Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset and Wiltshire.

There will be more than 60 cask ales and 13 traditional ciders and Perry.

Octoberfest committee chairman Adrian Carey said:  "Welcome to the 18th Weymouth Octoberfest, it’s great to be back in the Pavilion with panoramic seaside views.

"We have entertainment on Saturday night, plenty of tables and seating and a great choice of ale and cider, so to avoid disappointment at this sell-out event get your tickets early.

"We look forward to seeing you and your friends for a good chat with family and friends."

Alistair and Tina Burrell of Copper St Brewery were delighted to be offered the guest brewer slot for the weekend.

The brewery is located opposite Dorchester South railway station.

Alistair Burrell said: ”We’re so excited to be the main sponsor for this year’s Weymouth Octoberfest, we are counting down the days till the event and hope to see you all there.”

Entry costs £12, of which customers get a pint of beer or cider of choice (CAMRA members get an extra one), a souvenir pint glass and a programme.

Opening times are 11am-4pm & 6.30pm-11.30pm.

Tickets are on sale now and are available from the following outlets:

Online: camrawdorset.org.uk

Weymouth:

Dolphin Hotel 

The Doghouse Micro pub

The Globe.   

The Pavilion Box Office with additional booking fee.

Portland: 

The George.

Dorchester: 

Copper St Brewery

Convivial Rabbit micro pub