DRINKERS raised a glass at Steam Museum to the return of the Swindon Beer Festival.

Hundreds of visitors sampled dozens of different beers, ales and ciders over the three-day festival.

Matt Herbert from Pinehurst was at the event with his son Adam for the seventh consecutive year.

The 56-year-old said: “It’s like our pilgrimage, it’s something we look forward to every year.

“We always go on the Saturday with our friends and family. We’re here with our neighbours and my father-in-law.

“It’s a really social occasion with a great atmosphere.

“There’s always something new to try each year, though I especially like the Circle Cider, which is made by a Swindon brewer.

“It’s great for people who want to have a drink without staying at home or going to a pub.”

Adam, 33, said: “The vendors remember you. They’re very friendly, the staff are helpful and we always feel welcome.

“People come for the tastes of the drinks, not the effects, and they know when they’ve had enough.

“Nobody gets rowdy or lairy, like in town, so we really enjoy it.”

Visitors could buy £5 strips of tokens which they could spend on drinks.

This year’s offerings included four brewery bars - three of them from Swindon - with drinks from 40 different breweries.

Only half a dozen brews from 2017 returned for this year’s event, according to the organisers.

The event was organised, as always, by Swindon and North Wilts CAMRA.

Chairman Vince Chilcott said: “Over the 13 years we’ve held this event, we’ve had security but have never had any problems with guests.

“Thursday was a bit quiet, but Friday and Saturday were extremely busy.

“We get so many people in that this event couldn’t grow much bigger to be honest, not without breaking the fire safety regulations.

“A lot of people like the venue - this hall is open and it has huge ceilings, so it doesn’t feel stuffy or cramped, and it just looks great.

“People also come here for the chance to try a range of different beers and ciders that they don’t get in Swindon.

“It takes many months to plan with eight committee members putting it together and around 60 volunteers helping out during the festival itself.”

Alex Golding from Swindon volunteered with his brother. He said: “I’ve been a CAMRA member for 15 years and a festival volunteer for four, it’s always good fun.”