BEER we go again with more than 400 beers on tap at the Chappel Beer Festival this week.

Now in its 23rd year, the event, organised by Camra, will be serving up an array of beers from small, local breweries and those not normally available in the county, at the railway’s goods and restoration sheds.

Last year, organisers rolled in 483 nine-gallon barrels of beer, as well as 40 ciders and perries and this year looks to be better yet.

Festival-goers will be able to sample local ales including those from such breweries as Nethergate, Crouch Vale, Hart of Stebbing and Mauldons.

As in recent years, there will also be plenty of food, such as a hog roast, pies, curries and cheese toasties made with West Country cheese.

Due to problems with noise in the past, organisers have had to restrict the type of music available, so this year tonight and tomorrow will be quiet nights. Songs From the Blue House will play on Thursday and Friday nights and Saturday will see the return of Sixteen String Jack. It is also hoped some morris dancers will be performing on Saturday afternoon.

The event starts today, from 6pm to 11pm, and then tomorrow to Saturday, from 11am to 11pm.

There will be extra late-night National Express trains operating to Sudbury, Bures, Marks Tey, Colchester and Ipswich, with connections for stations to Chelmsford and London. The last train home is 11.25pm.

Admission prices are £2, and £3 for Thursday and Friday evenings. East Anglian Railway Museum and Camra members allowed in free on production of a current membership card.

For more information, as well as an up-to-date beer list, go to earm.co.uk or essex-camra.org.uk/chappel.