A Happy New Year to all my readers. Do you get beer related Christmas presents? I know I did. A book from fellow beer blogger, Pete Brown, which I’ll review once I’d had a chance to sit down and read it.

Also got an eighteen-pint beer box from once of my favourite breweries, Woodfords of Norfolk. Unfortunately it sprang a leak.

Quick e-mail, with photos and the kind people at Woodfordes replaced it. So 10 out of 10 to them for their excellent customer service.

So what did you get for Christmas? Also have you come across any good customer service from a brewery? If so let us know.

With Christmas out of the way, it’s great to have a few local beer festivals to keep us going through these short days until summer finally returns to our shores.

28-29 January is the date of the Salisbury Winterfest XIV. Held at the Castle Street Social Club, just a short walk from the City Centre, it's a nice event which I attended for the first time last year.

Unfortunately I won’t be there this year due to family commitments. This is a pity as generally they have a good range of beers on offer. I do not know the situation with tickets at the moment.

They normally sell out but call 01722 330445 for up to date information. Public transport links to Salisbury are good with a train service (via Southampton) and direct buses from Bournemouth on the X3 by Wilts & Dorset.

A week later 4-5 February is the date of the 23rd Dorchester Beerex. Again one I have been to before and will attend this year. Held in the Corn Exchange in the centre of Dorchester, a good venue with a good range of beers (80+ real ales and Ciders).

However I was caught out last year, my first visit there, in the fact that they don’t allow un-used beer tokens to be cashed back at the end of the session.

So be warned, but otherwise enjoy it’s a good event. Best way to get there using public transport is via train, with a direct service from Bournemouth and Poole.

Another direct train journey, this time going the opposite direction on the 25-26 March could find you at the Winchester Real Ale & Cider Festival.

Held at the Guildhall in Winchester’s High Street is an event I must admit I haven’t been to before. But the promise of 70+ real ales, ciders, perries and foreign bottled beers sounds like it could be a good one.

So three festivals well worth going to, but remember to drink responsibly and don’t drink and drive. Above all enjoy.