Get ready to charge your glasses as the beer festival is coming back to town and is being kicked off with a sneak preview of what is on offer.

The preview for the St Albans Beer and Cider Festival will take place on Tuesday, September 26 and will be conducted by leading beer writer Roger Protz.

For the first time in the festival’s history, drinkers will be given a tutored cask and bottle-conditioned beer tasting of six IPAs including a rare cask version of Worthington White Shield.

Mr Protz said: “IPA - India Pale Ale - is the buzz beer of the moment. It was a style developed early in the 19th century for export to India but it went into sharp decline in the 20th century.

“It has been rediscovered by brewers in the UK and the US and there are now thousands of different examples. It's brewed today in such unlikely countries as China, Japan, Italy, France and Denmark.

“It hits all the right buttons in the modern beer world as IPA is packed with hops. The samples will include a draught version of Worthington’s White Shield.

“The beer is only sold in bottled form so this is a unique opportunity to taste a beer from the cask that is a powerful link with Victorian versions of IPA.”

Festival Organiser, John Bishop said “Roger has an encyclopaedic knowledge of beer and is a first-class entertainer.

“As well as the tutored tasting, I am really looking forward to hearing more about Roger’s new book IPA: A Legend in Our Time and about his many beer related visits and experiences both in the UK and overseas.

“This event is a real must for anyone who loves their beer and wants to understand it better.”

Tickets for this are £12 and are available from the Robin Hood or Mermaid pub, or on the door at the Alban Arena on the night.

After the tasting guests will be able to speak to Roger about the large selections of beers that will be available when the festival starts.

The festival kicks off its 22nd annual event the following day on Wednesday September 27 until Saturday, September 30 and will be open from 11am until 11pm.

Admission is £3 or £5 on Friday and Saturday and free for CAMRA members.

For more information call www.stalbansbeerfestival.org.uk.