ALE lovers downed more than 3,700 pints at this year’s Redoubt Beer Festival.

The Napoleonic fort hosted the fifth festival of its type at the weekend, with record numbers crossing the moat to sample the cider, ale and perry on offer.

Organiser Paul Mellor, of the Harwich Town Brewing Company, said the hot weather brought visitors out in force for the four-day event.

About 1,000 visitors descended the winding staircase of the fort to enjoy the festival.

The Draught American beer on offer sold out within 36 hours and emergency supplies of cider had to be obtained from local pubs.