THE 10th Annual Ilkley Beer Festival was the best yet according to organisers Ilkley and District Round Table.

The two day event held at the Kings Hall and Winter Gardens in Ilkley attracted a record 2,750 guests during the four sessions. Over 125 real ales from as far afield as St Austell in Cornwall, Bushy’s from the Isle of Man, Kent Brewery, Swannay in Orkney and Purple Moose from Porthmadog were represented as well as local favourites from Yorkshire and the rest of the UK. Also available were 25 ciders and perries together with a surprisingly popular Prosecco bar.

The tenth anniversary XPA Beer produced in collaboration with Ilkley and Wharfedale Breweries was especially well received and sold out quickly in each of the sessions.

Punters were well fed by local butchers Lishman’s who served 4,924 pies, pasties and sausage rolls over the course of the weekend.

The event is projected to raise around £45,000 for local good causes to add to over £300,000 raised from previous festivals.

Guy Weston of Ilkley Round Table, the festival organiser said: “We would again like to thank all of our guests and volunteers for helping us hold such an amazing event. The atmosphere and enthusiasm was the best I can remember from the ten years we have been running the festival. We would also like to thank our gold sponsor Handelsbanken and the other sponsors who contribute so generously to make the event happen.”

Stephen Dudley, the chairman of Ilkley Round Table said: “The beer festival was the brainchild of the current and former members of Ilkley Round Table and without these guys the festival wouldn’t be the success it has been, so thank you."

Ilkley Round Table was founded in 1949 and is part of the International Round Table network for men aged between 18 and 45. As well as fundraising, the Round Table has a full social calendar and welcomes new members.

All funds raised by Ilkley Round Table are distributed to local good causes. Beneficiaries over the last year include LS29 Children’s Charity, Ben Rhydding Hockey Club, Otley Junior Rugby Club, Ilkley Good Neighbours, Ben Rhydding Scouts and the Ilkley Arts Federation. Anyone who feels that they, or someone they know in the local area, could benefit from funding provided by Ilkley and District Round Table is asked to contact: communityservice@ilkleyroundtable.org.uk