LET’S all hail the ale! Yes, it’s Cask Ale Week, an annual event that aims to highlight this delicious cask conditioned beverage.

There are many ways to spread the beery gospel - and arguably the best way to give prominence to this event, is via a beer festival - it’s an ideal platform in my opinion.

Fortunately for sagacious slurpers in the locality, there is one such event being held at Burnley Cricket Club, commencing at 6pm tomorrow. It is their second annual festival and runs for five days and entry is free.

The organisers have kindly asked me to select some of the beers for the festival - and I was only too happy to get involved.

I have sourced some tasty tipples from the locality; ales from breweries that are undoubtedly among the very finest in the region.

It’s always a challenge to get the balance right, finding a selection of beers that will appeal to an eclectic beery audience. It worked very well last year, so let’s hope the beers outlined below, will be favourable on your palate.

I have chosen a wide range of styles, to suit all palates. Firstly, a refreshing tropical fruit laden pale ale from the Ramsbottom brewer, Brewsmith, namely, Galaxy. We don’t see enough of their belting beverages in the locality.

Then I have plumped for two from Rawtenstall fledgling brewer, Northern Whisper. A delicious, well balanced, British style Bitter; aptly named, Blighty; and their best seller, Oppenchops; a cereal malt and citrusy flavoured golden ale - well balanced excellence.

For fans of the “dark side” of the bar, I have chosen Dark Mild, courtesy of the splendid Horwich brewery, Blackedge. Dark chocolate and roasted coffee flavours are dominant - and are a perfect marriage. It’s a delicious drop, with a pleasant dry finish.

A Reedley Hallows potion is also available. The Burnley brewer rolls out consistently fine ales. Nook of Pendle is my selection. A luscious, robust ale at five per cent. The malty aroma leads to a moderate, dried fruity sweetness and hint of peppery spice. Lightly hopped and fruity smooth finish - it’s a titillating tipple!

Bowland Brewery provides the final selection. A refreshing cask, craft lager, Helles Bells, that I created with the Ribble Valley brewer. It has proved very popular. A smooth, grainy cereal flavour initially; gooseberry fruitiness and a gentle hint of peppery spice make it a full flavoured thirst-quencher.

Other beers at the festival include: Jennings’ Sneck Lifter and Cumberland Ale; Banks’s Sunbeam and Ringwood, Boondoggle - a quality quartet of quaffs!

Also, I must mention on the Saturday of the festival, there is a cricket match from 1pm. A President’s X1 featuring the world’s number one ranked bowler, James Anderson will lock horns with Burnley CC 1st X1.

So, come and show your support for Cask Ale Week - let’s all celebrate the nations favourite beverage, over the remaining four days - and beyond! Our pubs, clubs and breweries, value your support.