THE 16th Wigan Beer Festival at The Mill at the Pier on March 13-15 is operating on a theme of making the amber nectar appealing to women -- especially those who have never tried it.

Among the 50 brews and ciders from around Britain is a new one from Sarah's Hophouse in Golborne named "Indian", for some reason I can't work out, unless its going to be the chief seller!

CAMRAwoman Valerie Hallows is looking forward to sinking some Sulwath Galloway Gold from Scotland which she describes as a "cask conditioned lager with a full refreshing fruit taste. A hint of citrus can be detected on the palate".

I never thought I'd see the day when beer drinkers turned into flowery Jilly Goulden-like tasting buffs.

I know one thing for sure, nothing will convert me into a beer or lager drinker. I've never been able to stand either. Now cider, well that's a different matter.