Couple’s battle of the brews at Wakefield Beer Festival

Albert and June Bradbury have both brewed ales for Wakefield Beer Festival, which began yesterday.(Thursday)

Albert’s Spaced Out beer has gone up against June’s Bradbury’s Belter - and all eyes are on which one will run off the bar first.

Festival organiser Mrs Bradbury said there had been a bit of “gentle teasing” going on over who has made the best brew.

She assisted Fernandes Brewery’s Steve Hutchinson with the making of Bradbury’s Belter. The 4.5 per cent beer is described as a well-balanced blonde beer packed with “Warrior Queen” Boudicca hops.

And Mr Bradbury has brewed Spaced Out with the expert help from Clark’s Brewery. The 3.5 per cent pale beer is a nod to the festival’s new location at The Space on Waldorf Way, off Denby Dale Road, near the JCT600 dealership.

The Bradburys beers are just two of the 120 beers on show over the next two days. Local brews on offer include ones from Ossett Brewery, Tiger Tops (Flanshaw), Five Towns (Outwood) and Bob’s Brewing Company (Ossett) and Revolutions (Whitwood).

Ales from the South West and London are also featured in the impressive beer list.

Mrs Bradbury said: “For a couple of days we are the biggest bar in Wakefield - the best bar none!”

The festival was opened yesterday by the Mayor of Wakefield, Coun Elaine Blezard. The festival will raise funds her chosen charity, The Yorkshire Air Ambulance, and for the Autism Unit at Northfield Primary School in South Kirkby.

You don’t need a ticket to get in apart from Friday night’s session, which is a sell-out.

Entry to all other sessions is £4 on the door, which includes a souvenir tankard.

Today’s first session starts 11am and runs until 4pm, Friday night is 5.30pm to 11pm.

Saturday’s session runs from 11am until 11pm. Camra members get in free but can buy or loan a glass.