DRINKERS at the first-ever Wharfedale Beer Festival will get the chance to sample some of the county's very best beers at one of the most popular villages in the Dales - and boost charity at the same time.

Organisers are hoping that the two-day event in Grassington will benefit community groups and good causes throughout Upper Wharfedale by at least £10,000.

The festival, on November 6 and 7, is being run by the Upper Wharfedale Community Interest Company (CIC), which was formed recently with the aim of benefitting the community rather than private shareholders.

It will feature more than 40 real ales from a variety of breweries in and around the Yorkshire Dales National Park and will take place at Grassington's 'Town Hall' - the Devonshire Institute.

The CIC was formed by Jonathan Shepherd, a director of Ilkley-based Wharfedale Brewery, and Dave Eggleton, chairman of Upper Wharfedale Cricket Club.

Jonathan says: "We've been told that around one-third of all the microbreweries in the country are in Yorkshire - that's about 1,000 - so that's a lot to go at.

"We are still in the process of finalising which breweries will be be represented but there is bound to be a wide choice of ales of the finest quality. We will be looking to showcase over 60 different beers from around 30 breweries."

Every seasoned drinker knows not to imbibe on an empty stomach so festival-goers will be pleased to know there will be good wholesome fare available too, in the form of pies, pasties and sausage rolls from from renowned local butchers Weatherhead's.

And the setting of one of the Dales's most scenic and popular villages means there are plenty of food shops and pubs on the festival's doorstep too.

Jonathan says: "Grassington is well used to hosting festivals and we're sure that the village pubs and shops will benefit from several hundred extra visitors over both days."

Among community projects that will benefit are transport links between the villages of Upper Wharfedale and Ilkley and Skipton, Wharfedale Rugby Club, Grassingto Juniors FC, Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The event will feature three public sessions starting on the Friday evening, Saturday afternoon and Saturday night, with tickets at £10 each including a number of food and drinks tokens as well as a commemorative souvenir pint glass. Special festival buses will be running from 11am-11pm on both days, to and from Grassington via Ilkley and Skipton railway stations. These will connect with trains from Leeds and Bradford, at a cost of £5 return plus booking fees.

Jonathan adds: "Other than legitimate expenses such as the cost of hiring the venue, beer, glassware and marketing collateral, the overwhelming majority of the income raised will go directly to the good causes we are supporting.”

Tickets are now on sale at the Narrow Boat in Skipton, the Flying Duck in Ilkley, the Foresters Arms and the Hub office in Grassington, the Blue Bell in Kettlewell and online at wharfedalebeerfestival.com. Bus tickets can only be purchased via the festival's website.