Cheers! 9th Elsyian beer festival at the Maltings, Ely, draws in the crowds

The 9th Elysian Beer Festival is underway at the Maltings in Ely. Well supported by local businesses and raising money for Branching Out and Centre 33, there are beers and ciders to suit all tastes. PHOTO; Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

It kicked off with The Drayman’s Son winning Ely Camra city pub of the year and Five Miles from Anywhere winning the rural pub accolade and continued with a trade session and chamber of commerce networking night.

But then it was ‘open sesame’ as the public piled in to the 9th annual Elysian beer festival – with a plea by organisers to bring enough cash as the till can’t handle cards.

For aficionados it was also a case of checking the daily updates – topics such as Shiny Disco Balls 5.3 being replaced by 106 Grain Bitter 4.2 is a matter of tradition and honour.

Three Blind Mice Calypso 5.0 also got replaced on day two by Lonely Snake Citra Simcoe 3.5 – only part of the ongoing logistics of running a hugely successful festival.

The 9th Elysian Beer Festival is underway at the Maltings in Ely. Well supported by local businesses and raising money for Branching Out and Centre 33, there are beers and ciders to suit all tastes. PHOTO; Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Held at the Maltings, and well supported by local businesses and raising money for Branching Out and Centre 33, there are beers and ciders to suit all tastes.

Most of the beers and ciders are brewed locally and where better to hold the festival than at the historic Maltings built by Ely brewer Ebenezer William Harlock in 1868.

The festival runs concludes today – so time enough to drop in.

Mayor Richard Hobbs was among visitors to the festival last night (Friday).

The 9th Elysian Beer Festival is underway at the Maltings in Ely. Well supported by local businesses and raising money for Branching Out and Centre 33, there are beers and ciders to suit all tastes. PHOTO; Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

The 9th Elysian Beer Festival is underway at the Maltings in Ely. Well supported by local businesses and raising money for Branching Out and Centre 33, there are beers and ciders to suit all tastes. PHOTO; Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

The 9th Elysian Beer Festival is underway at the Maltings in Ely. Well supported by local businesses and raising money for Branching Out and Centre 33, there are beers and ciders to suit all tastes. PHOTO; Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

The 9th Elysian Beer Festival is underway at the Maltings in Ely. Well supported by local businesses and raising money for Branching Out and Centre 33, there are beers and ciders to suit all tastes. PHOTO; Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

The 9th Elysian Beer Festival is underway at the Maltings in Ely. Well supported by local businesses and raising money for Branching Out and Centre 33, there are beers and ciders to suit all tastes. PHOTO; Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

The 9th Elysian Beer Festival is underway at the Maltings in Ely. Well supported by local businesses and raising money for Branching Out and Centre 33, there are beers and ciders to suit all tastes. PHOTO; Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)