On September 7 volunteers and supporters of the Alton Beer Festival met in the Wessex Arts Centre at Alton College to present donations to local charities and causes benefiting from the Alton Spring Beer Festival in April.

April’s festival was the 37th since it started in 2002, and the people who attended helped give out donations to 13 causes.

These donations will be used to support a huge range of people in Alton and its surrounding villages.

There were donations for cultural and sporting activities, children, youth and end-of-life support, and training a dog for an autistic person.

In the last 22 years the total given away from the Alton Beer Festivals is more than £275,000.

The organisers would like to thank sponsors Triple fff Brewery and Bourne Estate Agents, plus the other breweries and barrel end sponsors, whose continued generosity helps them raise money for a diverse range of organisations.

This time the beneficiaries were the 8th Alton Scout Group, Alton Community Association, Alton Community Cupboard, Andrews’ Endowed CE Primary School - nominated by Triple fff - Broadlands Equine Therapy and RDA, Bushy Leaze Children and Families Centre, Bushy Leaze Family Support, Dogs for Autism, Eggar’s School, Manor Colts FC - nominated by Bourne - Holybourne Theatre, St Michael’s Hospice and The Kings Arms.

The ceremony also saw the presentation of awards to the spring festival champions, voted for by those attending.

The Slaphead Shield for the champion cask ale went to Indigenous Brewery for Geronimo.

Ten Tun Tap House won gold and bronze in the craft beer awards with Thunders of Darkness and Temples of Bru-1 respectively. Maverick Brewing took silver with We Did A Thing, brewed in collaboration with Cassidy’s.

The autumn beer festival is on November 1 and 2. For tickets and donation requests visit www.altonbeerfestival.org.uk