ALMOST 3,000 people drank Holy Trinity Church dry after record numbers were attracted to Hull's real ale festival.
The annual event saw a huge increase in popularity, with almost 1,000 more people attending this year's event.
Every last drop of beer ran out by 4.30pm on Saturday, bringing the festival to an early close.
Organiser Stewart Campbell said: "Our entire stock sold out by 4.30pm and this was despite increasing our order by 12 per cent.
"We had almost 3,000 people come through, which is well up on last year, when we had just over 2,000.
"On the first night, there was a 20 per cent increase.
"We also started with just 60 beers and ciders at Holy Trinity and now we have 130."
The decision by Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) to begin holding the event at the historic church in Hull city centre three years ago has proved inspired.
But with increased numbers comes issues that need to be addressed, Mr Campbell admits.
He said: "We are really pleased with the popularity of the event.
"But the worry is trying to ensure that, next year, we have enough beer to keep going until 8pm.
"The problem is trying to find somewhere to put the extra stock we'll need and we can't really extend the bars any further."
Mr Campbell is delighted with the impact the festival is having on Camra.
He said: "We had record numbers joining Camra this year, with 39 members over the three days.
"We have a certain image, but the festival attracted lots of different types of people, with many women and people of all ages.
"There was a real mix, which was fantastic."
The event began on Thursday afternoon and carried on until the beer ran out on Saturday evening.
It opened with a blessing from junior curate Reverend Irene Wilson.
She called on God to "protect and be here".
After running out of ale when it first held in Holy Trinity Church two years ago, festival organisers have upped the amount available to 9,500 pints.
Much of the beer came from East Yorkshire breweries, with real ale the only growth sector of the pub industry at the moment.
Holy Trinity even has its own beer, an India Pale Ale created by Yorkshire Brewing.
Although some other churches host beer festivals – there is one in Liverpool and another in Norfolk – they are mostly held in the crypts rather than above ground.
Holy Trinity, however, uses its glass windows and high, arched ceilings to maximum effect.
The stone walls are also perfect for keeping all those pints at optimum temperature.
The festival has already been booked in at the church for next year, running from April 16 to 18.
