EXCITEMENT is mounting. The beer list is ready. Let the countdown begin....

From Wednesday to Saturday, all eyes will be on Knavesmire as York hosts another bumper beer festival that promises to break its own records once again.

All told, there will be 461 British beers (a new record for the event) covering every conceivable style, including more than 200 from 100 different Yorkshire breweries. Whatever your taste, there'll be something for you.

 

>>> Festival website with beer list

If that isn't enough, there will also be more than 100 ciders available and a foreign beer bar serving bottled and draught beers from around the world.

Inside the marquee, there will be a live music stage featuring a variety of acts, and outside there will be myriad food stalls.

York Press:

A scene from the 2014 festival

The York branch of the Campaign for Real Ale are proud of this event and rightly so. Many will recall the days when York's beer festival was a fairly low-key event in The Priory Street Centre, or in the Tap & Spile pub in Monkgate.

Not any more. This will be the seventh Knavesmire festival, and it has grown to become a nationally-renowned event, the biggest festival in Yorkshire and a destination event for enthusiasts from around the UK and beyond - in previous years, visitors from 20 countries have been welcomed.

Nick Love, the festival's communications officer, says: "As well as being Yorkshire’s largest beer festival, it has the reputation for being one of the friendliest and enjoyable in the UK festival calendar as well.

"It’s probably the combination of the cheerful staff, the great expanse of the marquee with ample space to move around, including the huge beer garden, plus the massive range of beers and ciders that make it such an enjoyable all round experience."

York Press:

Judging at last year's festival

On Wednesday itself, the festival will also host the Society for Independent Brewers Association's North East beer competition, with more than 140 breweries doing battle for a series of awards.

The festival is open from 5.30pm to 11pm on Wednesday, and noon to 11pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Admission to the public is £3 on Wednesday, £4 on Thursday and £5 on Friday or Saturday.

Camra members can claim a £2 discount on any of those admission charges, and readers of The Press have an extra bonus as well.... We and Camra have teamed up to offer half-price admission to the event on Wednesday and Thursday. Just look out for the vouchers in the printed newspaper on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In the meantime, here's a little preview of what you can look forward to....