As it clocks up an remarkable 33 years, the Oldham Beer and Cider Festival is set to roll into town for two days before Easter.

Organised by CAMRA Rochdale, Oldham and Bury branch, the focus is on cask-conditioned beers with almost 50 to choose from. Real cider and perry is also championed so visitors can expect a great selection of traditional products.

The festival is run to support the mayor of Oldham’s charity appeal, which currently supports North West Air Ambulance, Pennine Pen Animal Rescue, Oldham Cancer Support Centre and Oldham Bereavement Support among others.

Each year, organisers chose a region of the UK to showcase some of its real ales. In 2023, drinkers can look forward to sampling some of the best from East Anglia and surrounds. But there will also be beers from all breweries in the branch area including Deeply Vale, Donkeystone, Pictish and Serious.

There’ll be Northern cider as well as the best of the traditional producing regions. Fans of foreign beer styles will also be catered for with a special selection of bottles from European brewers.

Experienced festivalgoers will know the wisdom of enjoying some food with a drink, and the event will again feature dishes from Quirky Catering Company.

Festival organiser Andy Cooper said: “We’re delighted to once again be running the festival and supporting the mayor’s charities. Drinkers can enjoy plenty of cooled beers and ciders including a selection rarely seen in this area, but all at local prices. Our volunteers work hard to put on a festival renowned for its friendly atmosphere and plenty of seats!

“We know times are challenging, so we’ve frozen or reduced admission prices. There’s no home games for Latics or Roughyeds on our dates, so sports fans are particularly welcome.

“There’s plenty of time for local businesses and individuals to support the festival by sponsoring a cask of beer. Just contact the mayor’s appeal fund via 0161 770 4012 or myself on gbg@rob.camra.org.uk and we'll do the rest. It’s a great event to be associated with.”

The mayor of Oldham councillor Elaine Garry said: “In the past couple of years, I’ve been a part of the mayor's charity appeal committee so l know first-hand how committed those volunteers as well as the CAMRA branch is to making this event a success.

“Events like the festival take months of planning to be successful and you don’t get to the 33rd annual event without it having real appeal for Oldhamers. It’s one of the mayoral dates myself and my consorts Graham and Peter are looking forward to. I’m hoping local people have a great time as well as raising valued funds for those charities.”

The Oldham Beer Festival is at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on Friday 31 March and Saturday 1 April 2023.

Pictured, from left, CAMRA volunteers Clint Boon and Michelle Riley