A BEER festival hailed and recognised as one of the country’s best by a highly respected group of ale enthusiasts is returning to a heritage railway museum next week.

The Chappel Summer Beer Festival, a five-day drinking event overflowing with alcoholic variety and hard-to-come-by beverages, is taking place in the age-old setting of the East Anglian Railway Museum.

Endorsed by CAMRA, an organization that frequently judges and awards pubs and drinking get-togethers across the country, the festival’s unique selection of more than 400 beers, some from local breweries, will see guests getting merrier by the minute.

More than 80 different ciders will be being served at the festival as well, for anyone with a preference for a slightly fruitier and less bitter liquid refreshment.

Exquisite Essex wines will also be passed around for those looking for a tipple with a little more elegance and a lot fewer bloating bubbles, and soft drinks and gorgeous hot food will help to soften the blow for the designated drivers.

On the last three nights of the event enthralling live music will blare out from the likes of Loxleys Cordor and the Silburys, while the Belchamp Morris Men and Steampunk Morris Group will uniquely entertain throughout the heady Saturday afternoon.

Camping is also available for those who would rather stumble back to a tent than fall asleep, open-mouthed, on the mind-numbing train journey home.

The Chappel Summer Beer Festival will take place between 5.30-11.30pm next Tuesday and then from 11am-11pm from Wednesday until Saturday.

Ticket prices for each day vary between £3 and £7 depending on your arrival time, but all admissions can be paid for on the door with the exception of Friday night, which must be purchased in advance.

Children are also allowed to attend the event for free but under-18s must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information visit chappelbeerfestival.org.uk.