YORK beer drinkers will be the first to try the region's best independent craft beers at the new B-Fest Beer, Blues and Folk Festival at York Barbican tomorrow and Saturday.

Organised in partnership between the Barbican and the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA), the festival will feature 200 independent beers, served through 40 rotating hand-pulls, alongside Yorkshire craft cider, street food and live music from myriad bands and musicians.

What's more, as a result of SIBA North East region’s Independent Beer Awards being judged immediately before the festival opens its doors, festival-goers will be the first to savour the best-of-the-best beers from the competition once the results are announced between 4.30pm and 5pm.

SIBA’s Independent Beer Awards are judged by brewers and industry experts and have built a reputation for crowning the very best beers from the region, in what are seen by many as the "Brewers Choice" awards. Ian Fozard, SIBA's chairman for the North East, says: "We’re really excited about B-Fest. York Barbican is such a great venue to show off the regions great ale and down to earth music. The opportunity to sample a huge selection of our region’s award-winning beers is too good to miss."

Mark Scott, York Barbican's general manager, says: "An event at York Barbican wouldn’t feel right without live music, which is why we’re unveiling our brand new B stage to give local musicians a chance to exhibit their skills in our music and entertainment venue.

"And if you don’t drink beer or cider, there’s a great range of non-alcoholic beverages plus some great cuisine on offer throughout the festival. Tickle your taste buds and join us at B-Fest this week."

The SIBA awards run across a wide variety of beer styles, from light hoppy bitters and pale ales, to rich, dark stouts and porters, as well speciality categories for more unusual styles such as fruit, coffee or chocolate-infused beers. The organisation's commitment to quality will ensure all beers are served at the proper cellar-cool temperature and in perfect sparkling condition in B-Fest's three sessions from 6pm to 11.30pm tomorrow and 12 noon to 5.30pm and 6.30pm to 11.30pm on Saturday.

The winning beers will be showcased alongside many others of varying strengths from York, Ripon, Knaresborough, Bedale, Harrogate, Masham, Driffield, Leeds, Shipley, Castleford, Wakefield, Sheffield and the North East.

York folk festival favourites and buskers Blackbeard's Tea Party will headline tomorrow evening's music bill, when folk singer-songwriter Kelly Ann Boland, folk musicians Plumhall, blues act Mr Dodo Bones and blues/rockabilly band The Black Jacks will play too.

The Saturday afternoon acts will be singer-songwriter Sam Price, folk musicians Elsie Franklin and Mulholland, alt. blues band Lion Papers and the bill-topping Gary Stewart Band.

York bluegrass band King Courgette will lead off the Saturday evening programme, followed by York folk duo Union Jill, blues combo Half Hand Hoodoo Band and the return of The Black Jacks.

Tickets for each session cost £6 on the door or at yorkbarbican.co.uk/whats-on/b-fest-york-barbican/