West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and Dorchester Casterbridge Rotary club have announced that the 34th Dorchester Beerex will be held in Dorchester Corn Exchange on Friday and Saturday, February 3rd & 4th respectively.

The festival along with promoting some of the U.K's best brewers and cider producers also has a charity angle with this year's principal cause being the Robert White Centre at Dorset County Hospital (DCH).

The centre provides specialist radiotherapy care and outpatient support for cancer patients treated at DCH, benefiting more than 5,000 patients a year. Funds raised from the beer festival will be split 50/50 between the Dorset County Hospital Charity's Radiotherapy and Cancer Services Funds.

Chris Davies the chairman for Dorchester Beerex committee 2023 said: "Having been involved in the very first Beerex it is a privilege to be chairman in this the 34th year. Our team will all work to have a successful event promoting brewers and cider makers of the UK, and raising money for the Robert White Centre at DCH"

Simon Pearson, Head of DCH Charity said: "We want to say a huge thank you to the Dorchester Beerex organisers for thinking of Dorset County Hospital as the beneficiary for this major event. Radiotherapy and other cancer services provided in The Robert White Centre are key to our care for cancer patients and we know clinical staff will greatly appreciate the opportunity to use any funds raised for the benefit of their patients. "

This year the Beerex committee have announced a new festival main sponsor, the local awarding winning Cerne Abbas Brewery which is run as a partnership by Victor Irvine and Jodie Moore.

Mr Irvine said: "We are honoured; it's a good way to start the drinking season and the festivals main cause DCH Robert White Centre is very close to my heart".

Every year the festival holds a raffle over the four sessions with prizes donated by local businesses and breweries. This year the raffle will once again be raising funds for the Dorchester Youth and Community Centre (DYCC) in King's Rd; Dorchester which is a valuable asset for young people by providing a safe place to meet and engage in assisted activities.

The festival will have a selection of 80cask conditioned ales complimented by a large range of ciders; tickets go on sale December 1st and are available from the following outlets.

Dorchester. Convivial Rabbit & Tom Browns pubs and Poundbury; The Brace of Butchers

Weymouth. Doghouse Micro pub and Belvedere Inn.

Online: www.camrawdorset.org.uk

The ticketed entry price to £10 per ticket, including glass, programme and complementary pint.

If you are a business who would like to sponsor a barrel contact the sponsorship coordinator Dave Harris on 07977 918130 or go to www.beerex.co.uk for up to date information.