The pumps will be flowing when the 50th annual beer and cider festival from York CAMRA opens today.

Enjoying a second consecutive year at St Lawrence Church, the popular event promises 200 beers from around the UK and mainland Europe, plus a range of ciders, perries, mead and wine.

This year has seen a shift towards beers from afar to give drinkers something a little different to what they might find in the many pubs of York.

However, to mark the 50th anniversary, a special beer has been brewed in conjunction with the Yorkshire Heart Brewery at Nun Monkton, near York.

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 Today sees the festival start at 1pm, with a Trade Preview, where publicans, breweries and others employed in the sector can enjoy important networking as well as fine ales. This is by invite only.

(Image: Supplied)

From 3pm, CAMRA members can attend, and from 5pm the event is open to the general public.

The festival also runs from 12-noon to 11pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Today also sees the judging of a beer competition, where judges will select the best ales at the show.   

Last night saw volunteers complete the erection of the bars, which also included the instillation of coolers to keep the ales cold.

For tickets, go to: https://yorkbeerfestival.camra.org.uk/sessions/