AN historic Napoleonic era fort will provide the perfect backdrop to a brewing company’s real ale and craft beer festival.

Celebrating its tenth year, the Harwich Redoubt Beer Festival will have 65 beers, including craft beer and real ales.

The large kegs are arduously lowered into the fort via a winch by organisers the Harwich Brewing Company.

The fort, built in the Napoleonic era to defend the town’s port against invasion, could house 300 troops in siege conditions.

It was abandoned in the 1920s and its management taken on by the Harwich Society in 1969.

Paul Mellor, Harwich Brewing Company owner, said: “We also have sour beer for the first time ever, which is proving to be enormously popular.

“It has a sharper flavour.

“As well as this we have strawberry beer and cherry beer.

“We also have several good music acts booked up to perform across the festival.

“For the cider drinkers we have a range of 20 this year.

“A range of wines and Prosecco will be available on the food stand.”

He added: “The Cafe at the Pier are back with us this year and will be offering food.

“The Maritime Festival is running on the Saturday this year and we have a stall at the festival as well.

“It is a big event for the town, it’s in old Harwich and brings people and income.

“It’s good for the shops.”

The brewing company moved from its base in Station Road to Coggeshall in May last year.

But Mr Mellor is committed to ensuring the festival continues.

He said: “I live in Harwich and I am a Harwich boy, so it is a big event for me too.”

The company will showcase its own beers as well as a range from other microbreweries.

The beer festival festival runs from Thursday, July 25 until Saturday, July 27.

Opening times are 11am until 11pm.

Entry costs £3 and visitors will receive a free half pint if they bring along their own pewter tankard.

Children and dogs are welcome at the festival.

For more information visit harwichtown.co.uk/beer-festival.