DRINKERS will be raising a toast to the return of a festive-themed ale festival as it makes its much-awaited comeback.

Having been cancelled last year due to the Covid pandemic, the Harwich and Dovercourt Bay Winter Ale festival is set to return in 2021.

Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) volunteers are already hard at work planning this year’s event which will take place in Kingsway Hall in Dovercourt from Wednesday, November 17 until November 20.

The festival will focus on the enjoyment of real ale and ciders along with good company and conversation.

The organising committee was unanimous in agreeing the festival needs to be a ‘no frills’ event without music or food, and with the priority being to provide a good range of real ales and ciders in a safe and enjoyable environment.

Chairman of the organising committee, Colin Cheesman, said he was excited about life beginning to look more normal in Harwich again.

“The organising committee of CAMRA volunteers is already hard at work organising the 2021 festival with health and safety even more prominent on the agenda than usual,” said Mr Cheesman.

“We know how much people look forward to the beer festival and we are delighted to be back after the disappointment of losing the 2020 event due to the pandemic.”

“In all areas of life, things are slowly returning to a more normal look and the return of the Harwich and Dovercourt Bay Winter Ale festival is another example of this.

“We spent more time discussing the availability of hand sanitizer than where we would source our beers which seemed strange but is the reality of emerging from the pandemic. It will be lovely to be up and running again.”