WEYMOUTH’S annual beer festival is on the move – and organisers reckon it will be bigger and better.

The October Beer Festival, or Octoberfest, has been held at Brewers Quay for the last eight years but is moving to the Pavilion Ocean Room due to the Hope Square tourist attraction closing earlier this year so it can be redeveloped.

Members of the West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) have ordered 62 casks of real ale and 10 of real cider for the festival on Friday, October 7 and Saturday, October 8.

It is usually a sell-out so people are advised to buy tickets early.

The event coincides with National Cask Ale Week, a campaign organised by CAMRA and Cask Marque to get more people drinking real ale.

West Dorset CAMRA Chairman Dave Harris said: “I believe Weymouth Pavilion is going to be an even better venue.

“The Ocean Room is quite a lot bigger. One of the difficulties at Brewers Quay was the lack of room and the need for most drinkers to stand up.

“Moving to the Ocean Room will enable us to increase the numbers attending by 25 per cent. The views across the bay will be an added bonus.”

A live band will play every evening but lunchtimes will be music-free.

There are 250 tickets on sale for each lunchtime session and 400 for each evening session. The Weymouth Beer Festival coincides with National Cask Ale Week.

Local CAMRA spokesman Michel Hooper-Immins said: “We were well looked after at Brewers Quay but the Pavilion is easier to reach and the new Park and Ride bus stops just outside.

“We are confident Octoberfest at the Pavilion will be bigger and better.”

Divided into two sessions on both Friday and Saturday, from 11am to 3pm and 6pm to 11pm, admission costs £3 for a lunchtime session and £4 in the evening, including a free glass to take home.

Buy tickets from the Boot Inn in Weymouth, the Blue Raddle in Dorch-ester or Weymouth Pavilion box office.

Alternatively call Dave Harris on 01305 772286 or visit: camrawdorset.org.uk

Take a sip of the country's finest real ales

Among the 62 real ales ordered specially for the Octoberfest are eight from Cornwall, nine from Dorset, 11 from Wiltshire, 15 from Somerset and 19 from Devon.

A number of beer styles are represented, including a rare barley wine from Devon at 10 per cent ABV.

The famed Spingo Middle is brewed at the Blue Anchor in Helston, a Cornish brew-pub dating back to the 15th century. Also from Cornwall, from Skinners brewery is Heligan Honey – an interesting mix of the brewer’s and beekeepers’ arts.

Furthest travelled is Potion No. 9 made by the Penzance Brewery and Boilers Bitter from St. Ives, a newcomer to the industry, only starting in April.

Among the nine real ales from Dorset brewers is the strong Tally Ho from Palmers in Bridport, Legwarmer Ginger from the Dorset Piddle Brewery at Piddlehinton and award-winning Badger First Gold from Hall & Woodhouse at Blandford.

Being brewed specially for the festival is Blackberry Mild, being made by CAMRA member Paul Smith at his Gillingham microbrewery.

Also available is Portland Bill Porter from the Dorset Brewing Co at Crossways, Harvest Pale Ale from the Isle of Purbeck brewery at Studland and 6d IPA from the new Sixpenny Handley brewery.