French real ales from Southampton's twin town, Le Havre, will be among the wide range of beers on offer to customers at the 5th Southampton Beer Festival. Three beers from the Au Brasseur des Halles brewery, Ambree, Blonde and a specially brewed Dinner Ale, will be on offer for the 3000 customers to sample. The brewer will be coming over from France to see how the British take to his beers.

These will not be the only beers to cross the seas on their way to the festival. Beers from the Scottish Isles of Arran, Skye and Orkney will make the long journey south, Dwan Brewery, County Tipperary will represent the Irish Republic, while closer to home, two Isle of Wight beers from the Ventnor Brewery will be on offer.

Local breweries will not be neglected, with the best beers in Hampshire being judged in the Champion Beer of Hampshire competition that will take place on the Thursday evening. The panel will include experienced CAMRA beer judges.

The event is organised by the South Hants branch of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale. It takes place on Thursday to Saturday 21, 22, 23 June. For ticket details contact Alex on 023 8055 1878 or visit www.shantscamra.org.uk.