THOUSANDS of real ale fans herded into a cow shed to hail the likes of Whopweasel and Powder Monkey at the 33rd Kent Beer Festival.

Homage to the best in county and country hops came from visitors as far and wide as the USA and Northen Ireland at the three-day event at Merton Farm, Canterbury, organised by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

A large female crowd again put paid to the idea that ales are a men-only matter and the Pink Girlie Bar was kept busy pouring the likes of Nutcracker and Strawberry Fayre for both sexes.

Hopdaemon, Whitstable and Shepherd Neame breweries more than held their own against the likes of Caledonian (Edinburgh) and Kelham Island (Sheffield) brews.

In all, 130 UK beers – from light mild ales to the 8.3 per cent monster cider Gobbledegook – lined up alongside 100 bottled and draught beers from as far away as Australia and Poland.

Live music from the likes of Blondie tribute band, Call Me, and Blue Jean Boppers kept crowds' feet tapping.

Canterbury CAMRA chairman Gerry Keay said: "We're really happy with numbers again this year."

* SEE THURSDAY'S KENTISH GAZETTE FOR THE FULL STORY.