TWO years ago Carlisle hosted a special edition of one of its great events.

The 25th Carlisle Beer Festival brought together Cumbria’s real ale enthusiasts this weekend for three days of taste testing and chatter.

The festival, held at The Venue, just off Botchergate, laid on a local ale connoisseur’s dream, with more than 60 kegs full of the finest in Cumbrian beer.

Carlisle resident and soldier of 24 years Paul Claringbold, from the Solway branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, organised the festival.

“Real ale is all natural, there’s only four ingredients: barley, water, yeast and malt,” he said.

“Every ale tastes different because the water has a different quality in each part of the country.

Paul, having been a member of the group since the early 1990s, has seen it shift from promoting the popularity of real ale to promoting the local pub.

“We feel the fight to promote the popularity of real ale is largely won,” he said.

“We’re trying to promote pubs now mostly, to help keep the pubs open.

“A lot of people are going to supermarkets and buying booze there, and big pub companies charge too much rent

“There’s been a couple of pubs in the area close recently - one in Glasson and one in Port Carlisle.

“One closure is temporary and one might be permanent - we’re not sure yet.”

Paul added that he felt it would be a loss to local communities if pubs continued to close.

“Depending on the pub, it can be the hub of the village or the town.”

He added that he felt the changing culture among young people was adding to the pressure on local pubs, particularly with the rising popularity jagerbombs and other “bomb” drinks - a shot of strong spirit combined with an energy drink mixer that are often consumed in nightclubs.

“I think the likes of jagerbombs are changing the culture, especially among younger people.

“A lot of venues now promote the sale of shots and bombs, and personally I don’t agree with it."