REAL ale enthusiasts can try their hand at mastering the brewers' art at this year's Great Yarmouth Beer and Cider Festival.A beer-making competition will be adding to the flavour of the festival, being held over the long Whitsun bank holiday weekend from Thursday, May 27 to Sunday, May 30.

REAL ale enthusiasts can try their hand at mastering the brewers' art at this year's Great Yarmouth Beer and Cider Festival.

A beer-making competition will be adding to the flavour of the festival, being held over the long Whitsun bank holiday weekend from Thursday, May 27 to Sunday, May 30.

Festival organiser and Yarmouth Blackfriars Brewery owner Bill Russell knows a thing or two about producing the perfect pint.

He said: “A good beer is a bit like a happy relationship: it needs patience, love and affection.”

“Like many micro-brewers I started making my first pints at home.

“It is very rewarding and a bit like cooking: the more you do it the better you get. Beers will be judged on clarity, taste, appearance and condition.”

The cost of entering the competition is �5, or �10 with a brewing kit that can be bought at Blackfriars Brewery, in Main Cross Road. Take along a current edition of the Mercury with you to receive a �1 discount.

The winner will receive �100 of beers from Blackfriars Brewery, a trophy given by former Lacons head brewer Michael Falcon and a Ritchies home-brewing kit.

Now in its fourth year, the festival is taking place in the historic surroundings of the Priory Centre.

Organised by Blackfriars Brewery and the Town Centre Partnership, the festival has become a popular occasion in

the borough's entertainment calendar.

The Mercury is proud again to be the event's media sponsor, and readers can save 50p on entry and guarantee their place at the festival.

To get to the session you want, it is advisable to book early through the Mercury. Just fill in the order form and return it to the address on the form at the bottom.

More than 120 beers and ciders will be available this year from Norfolk and north Suffolk independent brewers.

Evening sessions will be accompanied by musical entertainment, and there will be snacks available from the Priory Caf� throughout the festival.

Last year, attendances rose by 22pc, and organisers are optimistic there will be another record turnout in 2010.

For more information about the beer-making competition call Bill at Blackfriars Brewery on 01493 850578.