IPSWICH'S annual beer festival is once again bringing out the crowds to the Corn Exchange - and this year drinkers are able to sample brews from the continent as well as home-brewed real ales.

IPSWICH'S annual beer festival is once again bringing out the crowds to the Corn Exchange - and this year drinkers are able to sample brews from the continent as well as home-brewed real ales.

The festival has a Bavarian flavour with a selection of German beers on offer - and drinkers can find out that not everything sold in that country is light, cold . . . and gassy!

This is the 25th Ipswich Beer Festival and as well as a huge selection of beers ranging from Brains Mild to Green Jack Ripper which is nearly three times as strong there is entertainment most evenings.

Last night the festival opened with the Back Porch Band on stage. Tomorrow Suffolk band Rockit are performing and on Saturday the atmosphere of a Bavarian Oktoberfest will be recreated when the Big Woolf Oompah Band are the main attraction.

People turning up in traditional Bavarian costume will get free entry!

Nigel Smith from Camra, which organises the event every year, said: “We have 250 different beers and ciders, and some soft drinks for the drivers.

“There's always a good atmosphere. The joy is in the range of beers and the good crowd.”

The festival is open from 11am to 11pm today, tomorrow, and Saturday.