THIS week's beery ramblings highlights one of the main events in the Pendle social calendar. Yes, it's the annual beer festival - a three-day, diverse, social gathering at Colne Muni which opens today.

Now in its twelfth year, this East Lancs CAMRA organised event, goes from strength to strength. The 2016 festival will have a mouthwatering 150 beer and ciders to tempt your taste buds.

A lot has certainly changed in recent years. In its early days, it was totally male orientated - or it appeared so. Crikey, anyone without a beard, beer belly and a Karrimor rucksack felt rather out-of-place.

Thankfully, all that has changed. Now, we will witness an eclectic mix of beery brethren, who will throng to the Muni, over the next three days.

So, what have the organisers got lined up for us? Well, casting my eyes down the beer list, I find beverages to satisfy every palate - a plethora of potions. Fruit beers, IPAs, stouts, wheat beers and speciality beers. As well as the more traditional Bitter and Mild ales.

I have chosen six beers to recommend, beers that I will be hunting down at this temporary "Mecca" of beer.

Saltaire Cascadian Black: An exceptional black IPA. It has the roasted malt flavour of a stout, coupled with a refreshing, tingly, fruity bitterness, from the cascade hop. Soft on the palate, with a pleasant, subtle bitter lingering aftertaste.

Ilkley, The Man from D.U.N.K.E.L: Dunkel is the German word for dark. I can't wait to sample this strong, hazy, dark wheat beer. It will have a smoked nose from the beech smoked malt. And all the characteristics of a dark German wheat beer. Namely, fruity, spicy(cloves) and a tad sweet.

Fighting Cocks, Spaghetti Stout: This robust, smooth beverage, proved very popular locally when brewed in October. Dark fruits, roasty coffee and chocolate flavours, were all detected. A tad winey too. Now, after being aged in oak wine barrels for three months, it's going to taste even better - trust me!

Vocation, Heart and Soul: This refreshing, crisp and fruity IPA, had the 'wow' factor, when I tasted it - and it was from a can! Good fruity aroma. It was a pink grapefruit, mango and passion fruit flavoured delight. A pleasant tangy finish. Not to be missed, in my opinion.

Worsthorne, Chestnut Mare (from the wood): This is a belting Bitter beer. The sweet caramel malt and plummy fruit flavours are a perfect match. Light bitter hopped finish. I can't wait to taste it from the wood - it won't last long.

Bank Top, Pavilion Pale Ale: One of my favourite pale ales. It's bursting with citrus fruit flavours. Grassy, yeasty and breaded malt flavours also present. A most zestful, delicious and complex ale - a brewing masterpiece, no argument.

As you can tell, I'm really looking forward to this event which runs from 4.30pm to 11pm today and from 11.30am to 11pm tomorrow and Saturday.