IPSWICH Beer Festival is to take on a distinct German flavour this year to mark its 25th anniversary.

IPSWICH Beer Festival is to take on a distinct German flavour this year to mark its 25th anniversary.

The festival will feature a number of rare and specially-imported German beers alongside the usual complement of around 200 UK beers.

Members of Ipswich CAMRA are hoping to create an atmosphere at the Corn Exchange during the festival like that at the Oktoberfest - a two-week festival held annually in Munich.

On Saturday evening entertainment will be provided by the Big Woolf Ompah Band, and there will be free entry for anyone turning up in traditional Bavarian costume.

The Ipswich Beer Festival has become a traditional early autumn event in the town and always attracts large crowds at the Corn Exchange.

It has become a fixture on the Ipswich social calendar since the first festival was held in 1983.

Nigel Smith, from CAMRA, said they hoped this year's event would dispel myths about German beer.

He said: “It isn't all gassy cold stuff that we call lager - although lager is not a term they use in Germany.

“There are some very fine traditionally brewed beers in Germany. They have 500-year-old rules governing how it can be brewed and we have some expert brewers coming over to help us serve the beer.

“It is not the first time continental beers have put in an appearance at the festival as the arrival of Belgian beers a few years ago went down very well.”

The festival is open from 5pm to 11pm on Wednesday and from 11am to 11pm from Thursday to Saturday.

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