A popular food festival is introducing a range of local beer and cider for the first time.

Canterbury’s Cooking, a free foodie event held in the city’s Dane John Gardens, is opening up the What Ales You drinks festival as part of this year’s mouth-watering weekender.

The bar will be serving the best locally-brewed real ales, craft beers and fruit ciders, with a special focus on green hop beers.

It’s all free to enter, and card-carrying members of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) can even get £1 off every pint purchased at the bar.

The food festival, which has been organised by Zoom Events for the second year, boasts a street food court with tasty global cuisine and a craft market with handmade items.

Two stages will be packed with live music over the weekend including performances from rock trio Phat Gandalf and blues band Deep River Blues and there will be plenty of children’s entertainment, from face painting to puppetry.

If you want to learn more about the tasty treats on offer, there will be a host of cooking demonstrations in the marquee from Kent-based chefs each day. In the evenings, the marquees will be taken over by stand-up comics who will be performing at ticketed shows.

“Canterbury’s Cooking has quickly established itself as a highly anticipated event in the local calendar,” says Zoom Events’ Paul Kennedy. “This year we have so many exciting activities planned, ranging from foraging tours and eating competitions to the What Ales You beer festival featuring some of the best local breweries.”

Tickets for the adults-only comedy nights can be booked here.

The food festival is free and takes place from Friday, September 20 to Sunday, September 22 in Canterbury’s Dane John Gardens.