Fancy a Dizzy Blonde or an Old Slapper?

They may sound like options for an outing to one of Medway’s dodgier nightspots but in fact they are just two of the huge range of ales at the Medway Beer Festival.

Organiser John Brice is also promising a Dancing Dragonfly and an Apricot Jungle which sound much more attractive.

There have been bumper apple crops in Kent for the past few years so the county is rich in good quality ciders.

Varieties such as Discovery, Granny Smith and Russet will sit alongside more exotic blends including elderflower, damson, toffee apple, spiced and hedgerow fruits.

Festival organiser John Brice, who was brought up on a cider farm in Devon, said: “In the past we have enjoyed a big collection of Magic Bus products, but sadly we won’t have many, if any, this time.

“Production has been cut back and we won’t know until the last minute whether we will be able to have any at our festival. I know a lot of people will be disappointed but it is beyond my control.

“So we have made a big effort to gather as many good quality Kent ciders as we can in their place.”

They will come from the Kent Cider Company in Faversham, Kentish Pip at Bekesbourne, near Canterbury and Biddenden.

The main feature of the Medway Beer Festival is 50 cask conditioned ales from around the country.

They will range in strength from 3.6% in alcohol by volume to 10% and include all styles, types, colours and flavours.

Bottled beers from around Kent will feature on one bar along with Belgian beers and a selection of Christmas specials.

The 14th Medway Beer Festivalat the Stanley Ballroom in Chatham from Thursday, November 12 to Saturday, November 14. More details www.medwaybeerfestival.com is