The York CAMRA Beer Festival has a Roman theme this year, reports Chris Greenwood.

Take 51 breweries, 95 beers and hundreds of drinkers sampling products during three days of educated drinking in a York community centre and what do you get? The answer is a remarkably civilised experience.

Those beer boffins at York CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) have come up trumps once again with their annual celebration of ale which kicks off at the Priory Street Centre next Thursday.

The Micklegate venue is hardly a coliseum, but the impressive final beer order makes an entertaining read for any true fan of quality British beer.

There are 60 products from 27 Yorkshire breweries alone and other brews from far and wide, including the Ventnor Brewery, on the Isle of Wight and a beer called Red McGregor from the Orkney Brewery.

CAMRA members Helen Balawajder, Don Henson and Tim Roddis have got their hands dirty at York Brewery where they created a new brew under the guidance of head brewer Andrew Whalley.

In keeping with the Roman theme it has been called Coquendum Nostrum, which translates as Our Brew. There are 20 barrels (5,760 pints) of the stuff in stillage at the moment so drinkers should soon be able to buy some in local pubs too.

The Evening Press, which is sponsoring the event, has even weighed with a special-named First Edition, brewed at the Crown Brewery in Sheffield. We're told its "easy drinking", which sounds troublesome.

Organiser Geoff Henman promises to have an ale for every palate, and some ciders, perry and fruit wines for those who want to stay off the hops. He said: "It's going to be a great couple of days. We have got as bigger selection than ever and there's more Yorkshire Breweries on show than ever before.

"The range of styles is developing daily with special beers from fruit flavours to wheat and ginger. You name it somebody has put it in their beer these days."

He said collections made at the festival will be given to SNAPPY (Special Needs Activities and Play Provision York) to help the group provide play opportunities for children with special needs. More than £400 has already been raised.

Finally, it's not just beer that's on offer at the festival, Scott's sausage sandwiches will be there for the munching and commemorative glasses, featuring the Evening Press logo displayed on the left, will be on sale.

With this cornucopia of delights on offer beer fans may find all roads in York lead to Micklegate next week.

Tickets latest

Tickets for the beer festival are already in short supply with only a few left for the Thursday and Saturday evening sessions which begin at 7pm.

Friday evening and Saturday lunchtime is sold out.

The Friday lunchtime session from noon is pay on the door.

Up to date information on the ticket position and other festival happenings, together with a full list of all the beers at the festival, can be found on the website www.yorkcamra.free-online.co.uk or from Geoff Henman on 01904 792084.

Updated: 08:23 Saturday, February 14, 2004