Pictures by Matthew Walker

Robin Smallbone certainly can organise the proverbial drinking session in a brewery.

The Rockin’ Robin owner proved that on Saturday as crowds flocked to his annual beer and music festival at his base at Campfield Farm, Boughton Monchelsea.

More than 450 visitors turned up for the occasion, which ran from 2pm to 10pm, to sample some of the 26 ales and two local ciders on offer.

Mr Smallbone, who has operated from the Haste Hill Road site since 2014, was in high spirits on Sunday as he reflected on a hugely successful day.

He said: “This was our big summer bash and it just gets more popular every year. The turn out was great and I knew a good 250 people by first name. It was comfortably cosy and a really nice, fun group.”

The resident of Pickering Street, Loose, initially operated from home before relocating to the farm and has been brewing as a hobby for 30 years.

He said he is hoping to open a taproom at the site in October, allowing visitors to look around the brewery and sample its products in comfort.

The food and drink were accompanied by performances from five-piece rock and roll band Sonny Ray and nine-piece soul group The Choos.

Landlords from across Maidstone and the surrounding area, including Matthew Rudd from award-winning The Windmill at Sevenoaks, also turned out to soak up the festivities.

Rockin’ Robin’s Rob’s Pale Ale (RPA) placed second in this year’s Society of Independent Brewers’ regional awards. The ale was entered into the standard bitters and pales under 4% category, where it competed against 80 other beers from across the South East.