FAMILIES enjoyed a refreshing beverage in the sun during the Mersea Island Beer Festival.

The event, held over the Easter weekend, was organised by the Mersea Island Vineyard and Brewery.

The weekend included a hog roast, music and entertainment.

More than 30 local beers were on offer and families enjoyed taste-testing in the sunny grounds of the brewery in Rewsalls Lane, East Mersea.

Mark Barber, who helped to organise the event, said it was a spectacular time for the brewery.

He said: “It is really fortunate we had volunteers to come and run the bars for us.

“We had really good weather - it was four days of unbreakable sunshine on a Bank Holiday weekend. How often do you get that?”

He said the event was very well attended, with more than 100 gallons of beer sold on Friday alone.

He said: “We had about 36 beers all from Essex, and at least a dozen ciders, as well as English wine.

“It was phenomenal, what a great way for us to start the season.”

Beers on offer included the Halstead Bitter, Witham Gold, Yo Boy from Mersea, Maldon Dark Horse, the Harwich Bathside Battery and the Colchester No.1.

For more information about the brewery and upcoming events visit Mersea Island Brewery on Facebook.