PEOPLE fond of an ale and a tale will be toasting a hero at this year’s Stourbridge beer festival.

The Stourbridge and Halesowen branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has chosen the story of Frank Foley as the theme for the festival, which gets under way at 7pm on Thursday May 12.

Mr Foley, who has been dubbed the Stourbridge Schindler, retired to the town after World War II and festival organisers got together at his memorial in Norton to launch the event.

CAMRA spokesperson, Simon Hanson, said: “Each year the festival adopts a theme or a logo which commemorates some aspect of local history.

“Despite being described as a true British hero by former Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, Frank Foley’s role in helping thousands of Jews escape from the horrors of Nazi Germany is still little known, even in Stourbridge.”

The festival, which will take place at Stourbridge Town Hall for three days, has undergone a revamp for 2011.

Roberto Ross, festival organiser, said: “Following the success of last year’s festival we have increased the number of beers. We have a new look bar to give a more open feel to the hall.

“Some people think we get the beer donated to us which is not the case; we have to buy it at the same rate as pubs. “We are conscious of the economic problems at this time and despite rising costs we have tried to keep our prices similar to last year to give value for money.”

Simon Hanson added: “There will be about 90 beers and 20 ciders\perrys on sale. As well as selecting local favourites and award-winners from the last year, we try to find new and interesting beers.”

The event coincides with CAMRA’s Mild Month, which celebrates a type of ale which became popular with industrial workers especially in the West Midlands.

Mild has a sweeter taste and lower alcohol content which made it easier to drink after long, hot shifts in foundries and mines.

For more information visit www.stourbridgecamra.org.uk