YET again, Yeoford’s Community Beer Festival, Yeofest, gave visitors some delightful beers to sample.

This year’s was the ninth Yeofest, the third in the new community hall that it is a major fundraiser for.

Doors opened at 11.30am, the first beer selling out slightly more than six hours later. That was the Thornbridge Jaipur, 5.9 per cent from Bakewell in Derbyshire. It has won two gold awards and a silver as well as being a CAMRA champion beer of Britain.

Next to go, about five minutes later, was Black Arsed Fly, another 5.9 per cent beer this time from the St Austell Brewery.

There were 22 beers on tap chosen from all over the country as well as more local ones from breweries at Branscombe, Totnes, Princetown, Cornwall and Bristol. The three ciders included Sandford Orchards’ Devon Mist from Crediton.

More than 400 people visited, many travelling by train, with a good contingent from the Exeter branch of CAMRA.

Musical entertainment came from The Woodmen from Crediton, members of the Dartmoor Pixie Band and an unplanned set by Bernie, visiting from Thorverton, who sang some Irish folk songs with his guitar.

Other entertainment included the shuffleboard contest, shut-the-box and tombola. A room had been set aside where people could watch the Six Nations rugby matches. The children had a fine time, too.

Sue Read