Cornish oysters, Cornish stout

l Pictured starting the brew for the Pennycomequick Cornish stout for the Falmouth Oyster Festival and Victory Dinner are, left to right, Steve Skinner, managing director, Skinners Brewery, Albert Hunter, assistant to head brewer, dressed as Lord Nelson, and Colin Phillips, co-director of the Victory Inn, St Mawes, and caterer to the festival.

October 6, 2005: There's only one thing to drink with Cornish oysters and that's Cornish stout, which is why the approach of the Falmouth Oyster Festival means local real ale lovers can get ready for their annual fix of Skinner's Pennycomequick.

In the early days of the festival, which has been running for nine years, the oysters were washed down with Irish stout - mostly a well-known, readily-available brand - but this was more than brewery owner Steve Skinner could bear, so Pennycomequick was born and has become a huge hit.

Like the brewery's other seasonal favourite, Jingle Knocker, this beer is not around for long, but it does get out to quite a few of the pubs that take Skinner's beer. But with the culinary stars of the oyster festival it has found its perfect match.

Pennycomequick is 4.5% ABV strength and is described as a traditional stout with a smooth dark body and creamy head, with lots of new world hops for aroma and flavour.

l Falmouth Oyster Festival will be opened on October 20 by TV chef John Burton-Race and will run for four days. Thousands of people are expected to enjoy cooking demonstrations, a trade marquee, bar, live entertainment and displays of produce and maritime crafts.

Highlights will include an oyster parade, with music by the Old Glory Creole Jazz Band, a fastest shucker competition for chefs and a working boat race in the inner harbour, plus Nelson's Victory Dinner.

Also running, from October 21-23, is Cornwall CAMRA's Falmouth beer festival.