Bar Allioli, Jimera de Libar

The Guadiaro Valley's first International Bier Festival last weekend certainly proved to be a massive success. Staged by Paul Darwent at his Bar Allioli in Estacion de Jimera, the event sported a huge beer tent and live music throughout the day. The square was packed to bursting with revellers of all ages.

The event officially started at midday but people began arriving just before, on what turned out to be a glorious summer’s day. The 1.40 train arrived packed to the gunwales – people had been piling on all along the line leaving standing room only from Jimena de la Frontera. There were folk from Fuengirola to Gibraltar, La Cala, Estepona, Sotogrande, Gaucin, Jimena de la Frontera, San Pablo, El Colmenar and even some from Tarifa. Locals from Cortes de la Frontera, Montejaque, Benajoan and Ronda also supported the event.

The music kicked off with Ramon, from Chile, entertaining the crowd with a wide selection from salsa to love songs. Then came a band called X. Truly international – Marcus is from the UK, Francis is Spanish and Klaus from Germany. An incredibly talented and energetic trio they belted out number after number to rapturous applause.

Next came Thrifty Malone, an Irish band based in Gibraltar who covered Irish and folk music and provided the singalong section with old favorites like Molly Malone and The Fields of Athenry. Their 6ft 5ins, 15 year old guitarist certainly created an impression and is definitely someone to look out for on the music scene in times ahead.

There was even some jamming from a lad called Kerry who, along with a crowd of his mates, had piled up to the valley for an evening of male bonding, camping, walking and bierfesting before tying the knot!

No self respecting Bierfest is complete without sausages and these were provided by Richard and Kirsty from Cortes. Slaving over a hot barbecue they dished out a selection of 'Gnashers' bangers which could then washed be down with a choice of Ruddell’s, Spitfire, Quilmes or Poranor to name but a few of the beers available.

So, a big cheer to Paul, the bands, the visitors and everyone who helped to make this a day to truly remember. I have a sneaky feeling there’ll be another one next year - watch this space - and don’t miss it!