THE Great Yarmouth Beer and Cider Festival is flying the flag for the best local brews with a royal wedding-inspired celebration.

Taking place on a new date and at a different location, the festival will be hosted at The Courtyard on Main Cross Road, from Thursday, April 28, to Sunday, May 1.

Sessions are being held from noon to 11pm on all four days with live music at the weekend.

The event is organised by the award-winning Blackfriars Brewery, which is producing a special limited edition royal wedding-themed ale for the occasion.

Drinkers can toast the marriage of William and Kate, which takes place on the Friday of the festival, with a patriotic pint of Honey Moon. A golden ale flavoured with stem ginger and pure Norfolk honey, 500 bottles have been produced for the occasion.

More than 60 locally produced beers and ciders will be on tap, with a selection of tasty snacks available from Mary’s Country Kitchen.

Opened in 2004, Blackfriars brought brewing back to Yarmouth 36 years after the closure of Lacon’s brewery.

The brewery moved into The Courtyard, a former fish packing works a stone’s throw from the seafront, three years ago.

It now boasts a visitor centre detailing the history of beer-making in Yarmouth, and a fully licensed brewery tap.

Blackfriars owner Bill Russell said: “The festival is going to be full of good beer, good fun and good times. I am thrilled to have the event here so people can take in the brewery and The Courtyard.

“We are very proud that the festival is now part of the social calendar of Great Yarmouth and this is another exciting development for the event in a different venue.

“There will be about 15 Blackfriars beers on tap, and a great selection available from other top breweries and local cider makers. Once again musical entertainment is being provided and, of course, drinkers can watch the royal wedding on TV.”

Now in its fifth year, previous beer festivals were held at the Priory Centre during the Whitsun bank holiday weekend.

The Mercury is the proud media sponsor of the Great Yarmouth Beer and Cider Festival. Discounted tickets will once again be available through the paper; look out for coupons in forthcoming editions.