'It gets better and better': I went along to Dudley Winter Ales Fair, and this is what I found

And, according to some of the happy punters we spoke to, this year's event has been better than ever. 

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John Corser, chairman of Dudley and South Staffordshire Campaign for Real Ale, which organises the event at Dudley Town Hall, said the event had been so successful that extra barrels of beer had to be ordered to keep pace with demand.

He said 470 people had turned out of the opening night, and crowds were pouring in yesterday lunchtime too.

A total of 63 different real ales have been on sale, along with 13 ciders as well as wines and soft drinks. There is an emphasis on strong and dark beers, with a vast selection of porters, stouts and milds.

Sarah Hughes Snowflake was voted the Beer of the Festival by judges. The event also included the West Midlands regional final for two categories of Camra's Champion Beer of Britain competition, with Holden's Old Ale winning the Session Barley Wines and Strong Ales category, and Bewdley Brewery taking the Brown and Red Ales, Old Ales and Strong Mild's category with its William Mucklow Dark Mild.

Rob Thomas, from Oldbury, is joined by his wife Jess, and father-in-law Geoff Sutton. All three seem to be enjoying themselves.

"I've been for the last three or four years, and I really love it," says Rob.

"I just love the environment, love the company, and obviously, love the beer," he says.

Rob is nursing a half-pint glass of a dark ale, which he would heartily recommend - if only he knew what it was. 

"I've just got this nice, little, tasty one at the moment, but I can't remember for life of me what it is.," he says. 

"There's so many to pick from, it's absolutely fantastic. It's nice that we've got ciders here as well, nice to have a bit of a change."

It is Jess's second year at the festival.

"I absolutely love it," and I like to bring my dad along," she says. "I like the IPAs. I like the lighter ones, this is from Stourbridge, it's really, really nice."

Geoff, who lives in the Oakham area of Dudley, prefers the bitters and old ales. 

"I think it's very good, and I can stagger home," he says. 

Adam McAteer, from Redditch, says attending the event had become something of a tradition to him. 

"I enjoy the fact that we can have a variety of ciders and beers, and if you don't like something, you can even just get a third or a half and move on to the next one.

"My favorite cider from last year was a bubblegum-flavored cider. I always say, get here early,  before they run out

First-timer Rachel Bentley from Cradley Heath has only just arrived, but has wasted no time in finding a rum and raisin cider. 

"It's really nice," she says. And what does she think of her first time at the festival? 

"It's a nice atmosphere," she says.

John Poole, 73, from Shrewsbury,. is spending his second day at the festival, having already been there on the opening Thursday. 

"I've  been coming for the past 28 years, back to the days when it was held in Netherton, so I've got quite a bit of practice," he says.

And how does it compare to the early days?

"It just gets better and better," he says. 

"There's a really, really good choice, and some very knowledgeable people."

And what is this seasoned veteran's recommendation?

"I think my favourite is the Batham's Triple X. I love all Batham's beers." 

Ken Banks, from Wednesfield has started with a Dark Island, followed by Enville Gothic Ginger.

"It's absolutely wonderful," he says. "I think it's great. I love the choice. I like the dark ales, I'm looking forward to trying the Holden's."

Kevin Simmons,. from Wolverhampton, is also a festival regular, and says the food, as well as the beer, is excellent. 

"I've seen a few very strong beers, which I'm going to try later, but just thirds. The thing I like about this festival is because it's winter ales, there's a good selection of darker beers."