THE way people were flocking to Winchester Guildhall, you could be forgiven for thinking that it was filled with booze.

And that’s probably because it was, with the revived Winchester Beer Festival.

After a gap of nearly a generation, the Campaign for Real Ale-backed event returned to the venue last year.

Nearly 3,000 people attended, quaffing around 10,000 pints, and organisers had no hesitation in bringing it back for 2012.

This year’s festival opened on Friday lunchtime (March 16) and last orders were called at 11pm the following evening.

Once again the event sold out, and plans are already being drawn up to stage it again in 2013.

More than 100 real ales, ciders and perries were on offer at the festival, along with food backed by Hampshire Fare.

Several Hampshire breweries showed off their tipples including The Flowerpots Brewery in Cheriton and Bowman Brewery at Droxford.

There was also live music from The Strand, Denmead Brass Band and State of Undress.

A more in-depth report about the festival will appear on the Taste page in the Chronicle's 7 Days section soon.