AS a result of a successful gathering of ale lovers in February, Alton Beer Festivals handed out donations totalling £11,000 to charities and groups at the Wessex Arts Centre.

In the last 14 years, the total given away from the Alton Beer Festivals has now reached £176,000.

This time, 19 different charities received donations which the organisers said was a “fantastic result” and all expressed “huge thanks” to their sponsors, Triple fff brewery at Four Marks and Bourne Estate Agents, as well as all the breweries whose continued generosity helped raise money for a diverse range of charities.

As well as the charities receiving their donations, the awards for the winter festival champion beers were also announced.

These are voted for by festival attendees and the champion beer this winter was from Vibrant Forest, a newcomer to the festival, with their Oat & Coffee Stout. Second place was awarded to Colchester Brewery with Romani lte Domum, and third place went to Dartmoor’s Dragon’s Breath.

The charities that benefitted from the winter festival were 8th Alton Scouts, Age Concern, Limes Day Centre, Alton Community Centre Minibus, Alton Food Bank, Amery Hill School, Alton Local Food Initiative, Brendon Care, Broadlands Riding for the Disabled, Four Marks Scout Group, Flat Spaces, Gilbert White and Oates Collection, Holybourne Cricket Club, Medstead & Four Marks Rotary, Holybourne Pre-school, Alton Cardiac Rehab, Mansfield Park Surgery, Putting Pen to Paper, Ron Buss Memorial Fun, and Treloars IMPact.

The next festival is on June 3-4 and there will be three sessions – Friday evening and Saturday lunchtime and evening.

Tickets are available from The Railway Arms and The King’s Head in Alton, The Queen’s Head in Holybourne, and the Triple fff Brewery in Four Marks.

For more details or to buy tickets online, visit altonbeerfestival.co.uk.