Women sought to choose perfect pint

The event takes place at Newton Abbot Racecourse

Women who know their beer are being sought by the organisers of a Devon beer festival.

The South Devon Annual CAMRA Beer Festival takes place at Newton Abbot Racecourse in September.

This year the organisers want to increase the number of judges to sample the 150-plus beers which will be on sale.

And they are particularly keen to attract more female judges.

"We need more judges to share this arduous task," said the festival organiser, George Hemmings.

"We especially welcome applications from females as arguably their palates are more discerning.

"Spitting is not obligatory."

Serious assignment

But Mr Hemmings was quick to point out that judges will not be required to taste all 150 beers.

"The beers are split into a number of categories and separate panels of judges are allocated to each one," he said.

"It is a serious assignment as reputations depend on their judgments."

And Mr Hemmings said the competing brewers were all keen to secure a prestigious CAMRA award.

"It is not unknown for the award-winning barrels to be sold out on the first evening of the festival," he said.

The judging will take place on Thursday 25 September.

Anyone wanting to apply to be a judge can contact Mr Hemmings at [e-mail].