BEER lovers had a rare chance to discover how real ale is made at Arkell's 2007 Beer Festival.

The event, in aid of Prospect Hospice, was held at the brewery in Kingsdown, in Swindon.

And more than 800 ale enthusiasts sampled Arkell's regular brews and a host of guest beers.

More than 30 beers were on tap, ranging from the familiar favourites 3B,otherwise known as Arkell's Best Bitter Beer, to some more unusual brews such as 49er and Landlord.

Half the funds raised will be given to the Prospect Hospice.

The other half will go to the company's other charity, The Army Benevolent Fund.

Sales director Nick Arkell said: "The weather stayed lovely for it and we have had loads of people wandering through sampling the beers and enjoying the day.

"Prospect is something very close to our hearts, having had people dear to us treated there."

The Army Benevolent Fund is the Army's national charity.

It is committed to the support and welfare of Army and former Army personnel and their families.

The charity exists to provide assistance with any difficulties that service and former service personnel may encounter.

Mr Arkell added: "The Army Benevolent Fund seemed like an obvious choice, too, because our family has many serving soldiers in it."

The brewery grounds were open so that visitors could explore at their leisure and follow a specially laid out brewery walk.

The Arkell family believe they have already raised more than £700 through brewery tours alone.

Vintage vehicles decked out the brewery yard as well as displays by Prospect and The Army Benevolent Fund.

The brewery's last Beer Festival was in 2005, when it attracted more than 1,000 visitors.

Arkell's Brewery still brews beer in much the same way as it did in 1843, the year it opened.

It produces 2.5million pints of beer a year at the Kingsdown brewery.