Beer lovers are in line for an Easter treat in Castleford

Beer fans from across the country will be homing in on The Junction in Castleford, which is staging its fourth annual festival from noon on Good Friday and Easter Saturday.

The beer list is a closely guarded secret but there is talk of a ‘real lager’ and a special version of version of Elland Brewery’s multi-award winning 1872 Porter, which has been aged in a whisky cask.

David Litten, who has written a book about the trail-blazing pub on Carlton Street, said: “The Easter weekend festival promises to be another fabulous chance to experience the wonders of real ales from the wood.

“As the only pub in the country to serve an ever-changing range of cask ales from its own wooden casks, it has built up a reputation under landlords Maureen Shaw and Neil Midgley for making available a selection of beers that is unequalled both nationwide and internationally.”

The purchase of the neighbouring Horse and Jockey pub last year enabled the festival to expand, leading to even more unique beers. This year’s festival promises to push the boundaries of choice, tastes and flavours further.

Mr Litten, who travels from Hull to sup in The Junction, said: “Expect some wonderful beers from Lancashire, Cheshire and Yorkshire. At the time of writing the beers that will be available are a closely guarded secret but we can almost certainly expect to see a ‘real lager’ and aged versions of a few beers, including the fabulous champion beer Elland’s 1872 Porter which has been aged in a whisky cask.”

The author will also be selling copies of ‘From Junk to Junction’ which chronicles the renaissance of the pub over the last five years under the pioneering stewardship of Maureen and Neil.

The book costs £7.50 and the profits will go to the Alzheimer’s Society.