FOOTBALL fans can celebrate at this year's Great Yarmouth Beer and Cider Festival with a World Cup inspired ale.The tipple, toasting the tournament in South Africa, will be on tap at the four day festival throughout the Whitsun bank holiday weekend.

FOOTBALL fans can celebrate at this year's Great Yarmouth Beer and Cider Festival with a World Cup inspired ale.

The tipple, toasting the tournament in South Africa, will be on tap at the four day festival throughout the Whitsun bank holiday weekend.

Brewed by Yarmouth's award winning Blackfriars Brewery the Word Cup beer is described as a delicious, light summer ale.

It will be one of more than 120 beers and ciders available at the festival from Norfolk and north Suffolk's best independent brewers.

And for the first time there is an opportunity for making - as well as tasting - tipples with a beer making competition.

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

Mr Falcon will be among the judging panel along with Blackfriars owner Bill Russell.

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

“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 best brew will be announced at a special trade session before the start of the festival at the historic Priory Centre.

The cost of entering the competition is �5 or �10 with a brewing kit which can be purchased at Blackfriars Brewery in Main Cross Road from next month.

Anyone interested in brewing cider for the competition should call Bill Russell on 01493 850578.

The Mercury is proud to once again be the media sponsor of the festival which runs from Thursday, May 27 to Sunday, May 30.

Evening sessions will be accompanied by musical entertainment along with a range of tasty of tasty snacks from the Priory Caf� throughout the festival.

Last year attendances rose by 22pc and organisers are optimistic there will be another record turn-out in 2010.

Advance tickets for the festival will be available through the Mercury - look out for coupons in forthcoming editions of the paper.