Weymouth Octoberfest 2024 hailed as "huge success"

The popular annual beer festival, held over two days at Weymouth Pavilion drew punters from across the south west to enjoy more than 70 ales and ciders from across the region. 

It is organised West Dorset's Campaign for Real Ale and the theme this year was beer from King Alfred’s 871 A.D. Wessex region.

Rich Gabe, committee member of CAMRA, said: “It has been another hugely successful Weymouth Octoberfest.

Rich Gabe, committee member of CAMRA (Image: Katie Heyes) "We had beers from the Wessex region and everyone here has volunteered their time to be here.

"It's fantastic and everyone had an amazing time."

Packed hall for Weymouth Octoberfest 2024 (Image: NQ) Doors to the Weymouth Octoberfest opened on Friday, with many in attendance including Mayor of Weymouth, Cllr Jon Orrell. 

READ MORE: Weymouth: Organisers toast to successful year of Octoberfest

Cllr Orrell was trying the Axe Grinder from Copper Street Brewery, the official sponsors of the event.

Rich Gabe, Cllr Jon Orrell, and event chair Adrian Carey opening the Weymouth Octoberfest (Image: Alfie Lumb) Alistair Burrell, owner of the brewery, said: “It’s fantastic to be here today. We are big supporters of CAMRA and cask ales and jumped at the chance to be the main sponsors.

The mayor let queues of people in along with chair of the event, Adrian Carey. He said: “It’s taken two days and seven volunteers to get all this together, which includes getting all the beers up and setting the table up, and it’s great to have the mayor open the event.

Queues of people waiting to get into Weymouth Octoberfest (Image: Alfie Lumb) Locals packed into the hall and were sharing their opinions on what is on offer.

Steve Smith and John Mill from Weymouth were tasting the Yellow Hammer- a cider, and a pale ale. Mr Smith said: “It’s a great event.”

Steve Smith and John Mill from Weymouth at Octoberfest (Image: Alfie Lumb) Penny Corp-Palmer, Simon Palmer and Philip Chappell, from Portland and Weymouth respectively were having a great time.

The group said that they never miss the event.

Penny Corp-Palmer, Simon Palmer and Philip Chappell, from Portland and Weymouth at the Octoberfest (Image: Alfie Lumb) The festival is split into two four different sessions, with two on Friday and two on Saturday (day and evening).

Saturday was the event's busiest session, with 297 tickets out of a maximum of 300 sold for the day. 

Chair of the event, Adrian Carey said he was delighted with the turn-out for this year's event, topping last year's ticket sales by an additional 20. 

He said on the day: "It's just great we're having a really good time. Everybody is enjoying themselves.

"It's superb to see people coming from all over. We had 150 people in on Friday from all around the country and today we nearly sold out. It's been a really good day." 

L to R: Matt Duggan, Malcolm Campbell and Peter Corfield at Weymouth Octoberfest 2024 (Image: NQ) Peter Corfield from Gloucestershire said: "I think it's great, it's the first time I've been back to Weymouth for years. To drink beer in places like this is brilliant. It's all local beers as well which is great."

Earlier in the day, hundreds of pirates descended on Weymouth town centre for an annual parade.

Among them were John Simpson and Jess Boyle, who both sailed over to enjoy some ales at Octoberfest. 

John Simpson and Tess Boyle at Weymouth Octoberfest 2024 (Image: NQ) John said: "We did the parade that was good and we thought we'd come down here for a few ales. It's a really nice atmosphere and good to see Weymouth hosting these events."

Meanwhile, Alice from Cerne Abbas enjoyed the vast variety of beers, ciders and ales that were on offer. 

L to R: Ellie, Amy, Rev Juliet Stevenson and Phil (Image: NQ)

She said: "It's very good opportunity to try lots of beers that I hadn't tried before.

"It's a lot of fun being able to compare them against each other and rate them.  It's a very nice cheerful atmosphere and a great festival to go to."