Dorchester will be celebrating its brewing heritage this weekend, with a packed programme events, from masterclasses and talks to tours and tastings.

Brew Dorch got underway today (Thursday) with beer and gin tastings, but there is plenty more to come over the weekend. 

Venues across the town will be celebrating the town's prestigious brewing and distilling history.

Dorchester has strong links with brewing dating back to the 18th century. In 1760, traveller Emmanuel Bowen noted that Dorchester was famous for "brewing the best and finest beer in England, whereof great quantities have been of late years exported and consigned to London". 

For more than 100 years, the imposing Eldridge Pope Brewery was one of the most important buildings in Dorchester and at the centre of the town's economy.

Highlights of the festival will include the Brew Dorch beer race around the town, brewing heritage walks, talks and tours, tasing events, a DJ night and live music. 

You can find the full programme and book tickets at discoverdorchester.co.uk/brewdorch