by Tom Rososchansky

Every summer four friends get together and plan a deliciously beer-filled set of days at The Style & Winch pub in Maidstone.

The event, Barrels of Britain, is a unique outing bringing the best of British ales to the County Town for locals to enjoy without leaving the county.

Spanning Thursday, August 2 to Sunday, August 5, pub culture-aficionados Olly Smith, Ashley Wakeling, Andy Doyle and Steve Adamson provide 10 different ales from across the country to Maidstone locals.

From Fruit Pale to Welsh Stout to Black Ale, they aim to cover every part of Britain, offering a colourful assortment of drinks, to suit everyone’s palate.

The tables of the pub in Union Street will be filled with good spirits and hearty chatter, while the alcohol flows throughout the four days.

There are diverse and regional tastes on offer as the four friends bring all the barrels to the beer garden themselves. The aim is for a taste of Britain, with a relaxed summer atmosphere in the town centre.

So what inspires the four to make the event happen every year?

Steve said: "Barrels of Britain is more than a beer festival.

"We have been running it many years and it provides an experience to get loads of local friends back together for a big event.

"CAMRA are also key to the event working, the support they provide is fantastic and to bring local people to the pub and show that real ale is still active for all age groups is fantastic.

"It’s an event which has been running for four years now and I hope it continues a lot longer.”

A sneak preview of beers that will be at this year’s Barrels of Britain includes Scotland’s Seven Giraffes, Northern England’s Centurion Ghost and Wales’ Blwbri.

They also take part in a yearly 24-pub crawl named Worth a Butchers. Last year's winning pub was Ye Olde Thirsty Pig in Knightrider Street . The sixth annual competition will be held later this year.