IT’S the event where thirsty punters raise a glass to what makes them hoppy while raising cash for charity.

And with preparations for this year’s Dunfermline Charity Beer Festival well underway, it’s not just a huge selection of ales that will tingle your taste buds and ensure you have a beer-ly good time.

Now entering its 13th year, organisers have been looking at ways to keep revellers returning to the event and, this year, they’ve teamed-up with the Eden Mill Brewery, St Andrews, to set-up a gin bar for the first time.

Run by Dunfermline Round Table and Dunfermline Rugby Club, the proceeds are split between the rugby club and the Round Table, who hand out their half of the money to charities and good causes every March.

Dominic Collings, of Dunfermline Round Table, said: “We’ve looked at changing tastes in beverages and, while in previous years we’ve added an increasingly varied selection of ciders and wines alongside our real ales, this year we’ve teamed up with the Eden Mill Brewery of St Andrews ,who’ll be setting up our first ever gin bar.

“That said, we haven’t forgotten that this is primarily a real ale festival and we’re delighted that Belhaven Breweries along with Broughton Ales have agreed to be our 2017 sponsorship partners.”

The festival will again take place at the Glen Pavilion on Friday October 6 and Saturday October 7, with entertainment provided by Big Time, Sphere, The Silver Kings and Sid’s Garage.

Doors open from 5pm-1am on Friday, and from 12-4pm and 7pm-1am on Saturday.

Tickets are available for £10 from Grill 48, The Canmore, Little Shop of Heroes and Voodoo Tattoo Club.