MORE than £23,000 was raised at this year's Dorchester Beerex beer festival in what was their largest reported profit since 1988.

The West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and Dorchester Casterbridge Rotary Club put on the sold-out event which took place last weekend at Dorchester Corn Exchange. 

The festival was even given a boost by a surprise visit from K-pop star Lee Seung-hoon on the Saturday evening, who was filming a TV show at the event.

This year's primary charity was the Robert White Cancer Care Centre at Dorset County Hospital. 

The raffle reached record figures with £3,373.50 being raised for the Dorchester Youth and Community Centre.

Dorchester Beerex Chairman Chris Davies modestly said on hearing the total and reflecting on the work put in by the Beerex committee members: “What a fantastic event you created and managed this last weekend. All the team worked exceptionally hard to deliver the event. 

"I am very proud of you all and privileged to have been the Chairman of such an excellent team, although I cannot claim any of the credit. 

"It is difficult to single out any one of the team; everyone just got on and did their jobs very well. Well done and thank you all. I would also like to thank all the volunteers that helped us on the days”.

The main sponsor was Cerne Abbas brewery near Dorchester and representatives from the brewery were around at all sessions for a friendly chat with co-owner and director Vic Irvine getting behind the bar to work at Saturday lunch for a while. 

Cerne Abbas brewery stole the show on the public voting for “Beer of the Festival” taking gold, silver and bronze for Mrs Vale’s Ale, Danny’s Brew and Gurt Vanilla Stout. 

Saturday lunchtime also saw the West Dorset CAMRA "Pub of the Year" award presentation going to the White Lion; Broadwindsor.

West Dorset CAMRA press officer Rich Gabe also entertained a South Korean film crew with a surprise guest presenter “Lee Seung-hoon,” also known as Hoony, is in a South Korean K-Pop boy band and is a huge star in Korea. He did get recognised by some customers.  

Dorset Echo: Lee Seung hoon & Emily enjoy Cerne Abbas Ale and a pastyLee Seung hoon & Emily enjoy Cerne Abbas Ale and a pasty (Image: Picture: Rich Gabe)

A Dorset-born “Youtuber” Emily, translated for a feature on Korean television as part of a culture and travel show.

Rich Gabe said: "I thought to be honest when I was initially emailed by the Korean production company it was a wind-up, but soon realised it was for real when a film crew turned up.

"I had no idea the festival would be graced by Hoony and Emily as presenters; they were really nice people and I think for Hoony a total culture shock."