Despite the Preston weather’s best efforts to rain on the Conti’s parade one of the city’s largest beer festivals returned for its Autumn outing.

Previous years had seen the Continental in South Meadow Lane focus on its summer beer festival but its moving back to being a twice-a-year event.

A big outdoor marquee and seating area was set up for ale drinkers to enjoy their pints without the inclement Preston weather getting to them during Saturday afternoon.

Hundreds of real ale fans have visited the festival since Thursday evening, with two large beer halls set up with more than 150 ales and ciders to try.

Read more: These Preston pubs have made the CAMRA good beer guide

The festival also has a rapidly expanding keg bar, prosecco and gin sections too. It’s the 18th time the pub has hosted a beer festival.

The Conti Beer Festival continues throughout Sunday (8 October) and has free entry.

Blog Preston’s top tipple? We were rather taken with Brew York’s Jarsa. Number 23 in the indoor hall it was a very refreshing and sessionable pale with hints of orange and sherbert. At 3.7 per cent a few halves of it were good to warm you up ready for something stronger.

Read more: Full drinks list unveiled for the Continental Beer Festival

Have you been down to the Conti? What did you think? What was your favourite ale? Let us know in the comments below