This year's Dorchester Beerex, held at the Corn Exchange on Friday and Saturday, is said to have "exceeded all expectations", with the largest profit generated since the events conception in 1988.

West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and Dorchester Casterbridge Rotary Club, which organise the annual beer festival, are delighted to announce a net profit of just over £23,000 which is far above the original estimated total. 

Among others, the good causes to benefit this year will be the Robert White Cancer Care Centre at Dorset County Hospital, as the festival's primary charity, and the Dorchester Youth and Community Centre in Kings Road, Dorchester, which will receive funds from a raffle totalling  £3,373.50, which is also the most ever generated.

On hearing the total and reflecting on the work put in by the Beerex committee members, chairman Chris Davies said: "What a fantastic event you created and managed this last weekend. All the team worked exceptionally hard to deliver the event.

"I am very proud of you all and privileged to have been the chairman of such an excellent team, although I cannot claim any of the credit. It is difficult to single out any one of the team; everyone just got on and did their jobs very well. Well done and thank you all.

"I would also like to thank all the volunteers that helped us on the days."

The main sponsor of the event was Cerne Abbas Brewery, near Dorchester, and representatives from the brewery were on hand to chat to enthusiasts at all four sessions held over the weekend, with co-owner and director Vic Irvine getting behind the bar to work over Saturday lunch.

Cerne Abbas Brewery stole the show on the public voting for 'Beer of the Festival', taking gold, silver and bronze for Mrs Vale's Ale, Danny's Brew and Gurt Vanilla Stout, out of more than 80 beers on offer over the weekend.

This was very well deserved and another Beerex first, as no brewery has ever taken all three top spots, a true reflection of the breweries passion for perfection.

Saturday lunchtime also saw the West Dorset CAMRA Pub of the Year Award presented going to the White Lion in Broadwindsor.

West Dorset CAMRA press officer Rich Gabe also entertained a South Korean film crew over the weekend, with surprise guest presenter 'Lee Seung-hoon', aka Hoony, who is in a South Korean K Pop boy band and huge star in Korea.

He did get recognised by some customers and Dorset-born Youtuber Emily translated for a feature on Korean television as part of a culture and travel show.

Mr Gabe said: "I thought to be honest when I was initially emailed by the Korean production company it was a wind up , but soon realised it was for real when a film crew turned up.

"I had no idea the festival would be graced by Hoony and Emily as presenters; they were really nice people and I think for Hoony it was a total culture shock."

The Saturday evening was rounded off by a superb couple of sets from Britpop cover band That Britpop Band.