BEER will be delivered by canal boat to this year’s Kidderminster Beer and Cider Festival in May.

This year the annual festival, organised by the Wyre Forest branch of Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), will celebrate 250 years since the beginning of James Brindley’s Staffs and Worcs Canal and in the spirit of the occasion, arrangements have been made for the beers from a major sponsor to be delivered by canal boat.

Dave Kelly, of Kinver Brewery, has previously delivered their beers by horse and dray to pubs in Kinver and by sack truck to the Constitutional Club – but never by boat.

With Kinver and Kidderminster both on the Staffs and Worcs canal, it was an opportunity not to be missed.

On Monday, May 23, three Kinver Brewery beers will be loaded at the Vine in Kinver, onto a Lacerta – an old Grand Union Canal Carrying Company narrowboat of 1935 vintage – owned and steered by local CAMRA members David and Liz Osborne.

The beer will arrive later that day in Kidderminster, perfectly timed for the Beer and Cider Festival which will take place at the Kidderminster Town Hall between Thursday, May 26, and Saturday, May 28.

The CAMRA event is the fourth to be held at the town hall and will feature more than 60 beers, ciders and perries.

CAMRA members will have an early preview from 4pm on the Thursday, with the doors opening to the public from 6pm. On the Friday and Saturday, the festival will open at 11am.

It will close at 11pm on each of the three days – or earlier on the Saturday if the beer runs out. Hot and cold food, snacks, wine and soft drinks will also be available.

Entertainment on the Friday will include award-winning local singer songwriter Ellisha Green, plus Daring Young Men, while Saturday will feature Karmalyte, Fabulous Acoustic, Bordellos and Dharma Bums.

Entrance is free to CAMRA members, £2 to non-members and £3 after 5pm on Friday.

For more information, visit Wyreforest.camra.org.uk.