DRINKERS will be challenged to put their handling skills to the test this weekend in Denmead Community Centre.

The School Lane venue will become a temple of booze this Saturday evening as it’s hosting the 19th Denmead Beer Festival.

Traditionalists will be spoilt for choice as 21 real ales from Devon to Drayton will on tap from 7pm until 11.30pm.

But craft beer will also make a debut appearance at this year’s event, with Twisted Thistle from Scotland’s Belhaven Brewery and Noble Craft Lager being just two of the offerings.

The festival, which will also include a gourmet barbecue and live music from Hambledon band Checkers, is the centre’s biggest fundraising event of the year.

Centre manager Bob Bainbridge started planning the event six months ago so he’s hoping the selection will go down well with drinkers.

He said: “We’ve got a great selection and there’s a few ales from Dartmoor Brewery, Greene King, Irving down in Portsmouth and Bowman’s, which is just up the road.

“We’ve had a bit of a facelift and this year we’ll have two bars, as one will be outside in a marquee.

“And also, do you remember that fairground game where you had to move a hoop over a wire without touching it?

“Well we’ve got a version here and the person who completes it the fastest will get half the takings from the game.”

Malcolm Davies has managed to secure a sponsor for every barrel while the festival is being sponsored by Charles Church.

Tickets, which are still available, are £9 to include a first free beer and a souvenir tankard. Call 023 9225 6132 or visit www.denmead.ca. com for more details.