HUNDREDS of real ale lovers enjoyed a taste of Beer Odyssey, 99 Red Baboons and Frost Bite at the ninth Derby Winter Beer festival.

The event opened at the Assembly Rooms last night and featured 104 different ales, 14 ciders, four perries and a number of bottled Continental lagers.

Among those enjoying some of the beers on offer were Steve Foster, 31, and Joanna Blackburn, 24.

Joanna said: "It's been really good fun tonight trying all the different beers.

"My favourite so far has been the Hairy Helmet from the Leatherbritches Brewery, based in Ashbourne."

Also in the crowd were Tim and Maria Stone who have not missed a festival since 1983, when they got married.

They even delayed their honeymoon by a week so they could go to a beer festival together.

This year they were at the Derby Winter Beer Festival with their daughter Helen Stone, 21, and her boyfriend, Alex Kellett, 24.

Tim, 55, of Duffield Road, Darley Abbey, said: "I don't think I've missed a festival since we have been married.

"I catch up with people I only see twice a year at the winter and summer festivals here in Derby."

Alex said: "I was introduced to real ale a couple of years ago and, although I still have the occasional lager, I am starting to become a convert."

The festival, organised by the Derby branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, also includes tribute acts to Razorlight, Kings of Leon and Snow Patrol, joining local punk act Verbal Warning and Re-Entrants.

Award-winning Derbyshire breweries Blue Monkey, from Ilkeston, Amber Ales from Ripley, and Thornbridge from Bakewell, are among the sponsors.

Nathan Dilley, 37, and Alison Cox, 36, from Ripley, planned to move on to the Chesterfield Beer Festival today after sampling the real ale at Derby's festival last night.

Nathan said: "We try to go festivals around the country so it is nice to do a couple that are close to home."

Alison said they have travelled as far as London and Southampton to try new beers.

She said: "My favourite beer tonight was called Brown Cow. But we are taking it easy tonight knowing we're going to another festival tomorrow."

The festival is open 11am to midnight today and 11am to 11pm tomorrow.

Entry to the event is £2 before 5pm today and tomorrow (free for Camra members), £4 after 5pm today, and £5 after 5pm tomorrow (£2 for Camra members both nights).

For more information, visit the website www.derbywinterbeerfestival.co.uk