Organisers of Hastings Beer and Music Festival hailed the event a success as around 8,500 revellers flocked to Alexandra Park over two nights.
The chairman of the festival's committee said his team were delighted with the level of public support they had received and revealed this year's bash was set to raise more than £30,000 for local charities.
However, not everyone was as happy. Rea
l ale fans were left with dry throats after the beer ran out halfway through Saturday night's show.
A total of 11,000 pints of real ale, 10,00 pints of lager and 4,750 pints of cider were downed on the Friday and Saturday sessions and organisers admitted they had simply underestimated how many people would turn up thirsty for beer.
Tony Lee, the master Brewer, said: "We are genuinely sorry for the real ale running out half way through the Saturday evening. It had to be ordered on Monday and delivered on the Tuesday morning, thus allowing time for it to settle, so we were committed to this order some four days before the event opened.
"We even purchased transits loads of extra beer on Saturday morning after a busy Friday evening session, but that lasted only 20 minutes.
"We increased the amount of real ale on last years order but obviously that was not enough as we did not estimate an extra 1,500 people attending.
"The 120 volunteer bar staff worked their socks off and were absolutely exhausted, I sincerely thank them all for helping out.
"Next year we will review our ordering and promise that we will have more real ale in stock than ever before."
Despite the lack of beer on the busy Saturday night session and grumbles from real ale fans, organisers were overall very happy.
Chairman Steve Millea said: "I am overwhelmed by the support as we planned the event for 7,000 people but 8,500 is unbelievable.
"Considering the event nearly folded last year, it shows that the current format is a real winner.
"I would like to thank all the volunteers who helped out throughout the event as well as the police, Hastings Borough Council, Hastings Ambulance, East Sussex Fire and Rescue, St John's Ambulance and everyone else who, without their support, the event would not be able to run."
Among the many acts who appeared on the bill were local singer-songwriter Blair Mackichan, Hastings-based bands Slam, Pugwash and Not Guilty and the festivals headline act, former Ultravox star Midge Ure.
