A FORMER Audlem native will make a welcome return to the village when he delivers three of his own ales to the annual beer festival this month.

Now aged 40, Giles Meadows grew up in Audlem, attending the primary school before moving on to Brine Leas in Nantwich.

Having secured his first pub job in the village as a schoolboy, he later worked for a real ale brewery, and ran his own establishment, before setting up the Wincle Beer Company in 2008.

Set within the Peak District National Park, the business has gone from strength to strength, and now brews flat out to keep up with demand.

Giles said: “My parents, brother and sister still live in the village, and I still have friends here, which makes it a real pleasure to brew and supply three cask ales for the beer festival.

“The festival was a huge success last year, and coupled with the fact that demand for cask beer is currently enjoying a renaissance, it looks set to be another record event.”

The festival is on between August 25-27 at the Lord Combermere pub.

The focus of this year’s festival will be on local breweries. Many of the dozens of beers on offer will come from local breweries based within 30 miles of Audlem.

There will also be various Cheshire ciders and perries to sample.

Various local entertainment acts will perform throughout the weekend.

Giles has three beers on offer: Old Hag (5.2 per cent), Nimrod (4 per cent) and Wibbly Wallaby (4.4 per cent).

He added: “It is a fabulous atmosphere to come and enjoy our national drink, and the ideal place to search out experimental ales from craft brewers.

“Young people particularly are now turning to cask and trying something new. This is hugely encouraging for small brewers who now lead the industry with innovative beers that are full of flavour.”

For more on the festival, see www.audlem.org