WITH tickets selling out weeks before it took place on Saturday, it is not surprising that the second beer festival, at Bordon’s Phoenix Theatre, was a rip-roaring success.

Even the defeat of England in the Rugby World Cup, which was televised for guests on Saturday evening, didn’t stop the drinking, music and dancing.

It was a fun occasion, with 16 kegs of real ale and a selection of ciders and wine at the ready to please all tastes. The Phoenix Beer Festival combined a family day in the afternoon with more serious drinking in the evening.

Phoenix director Rob Allerston said: “It was a fantastic festival and we had a really good turnout and, surprisingly, the ratio was around 60 percent men and 40 percent women.

“We had a family afternoon when we laid on games for the children with soft drinks and a barbecue, while their parents got a chance to sample the beers and ales.

“In the evening we had a large variety of local beers and ales and ciders, including a new one from the Hop Art Brewery in Blacknest, and it, with the other ciders, proved very popular.

“Although we did a roaring trade, our visitors were sensible drinkers - there to enjoy trying the beer and ales without drinking too much, while chatting, sampling the food and listening to the music.

“We had three bands - The Original Plan B, Funkee Clawed and Big Red Ass - and a lot of people danced to the music on the Phoenix stage.”

Remembering what an important sporting night it was, Rob said the theatre screened the England v Australia rugby match on television in another room, “so people could choose to see it if they wanted”.

“I am glad to say for those who did, even though they came out disappointed, it didn’t put them off their drink,” he added.

So popular has the annual Phoenix Beer Festival become that next year Rob is going to make it a two-day event and tickets for that will be on sale in November.