AN Island beer festival celebrating women's contribution to the industry is taking place this weekend.

The Other Half Beer Festival opens today (Friday) at Boojum and Snark, Sandown.

The festival is a celebration of the contribution women play in our modern beer scene.

The idea came about when Julie Jones-Evans, head brewer at Boojum and Snark, along with co-founder Tracy Mikich, were invited to talk at an International Women’s Day Collaboration Brew Day event in Worthing.

Julie said: “We presented our story to a packed room.

"I then thought what a good idea to bring a similar event to the Island and inspire other women to get involved in the beer industry.”

Julie and Tracy have recently collaborated with Goddards, helping to devise their new Brewed in the Bay range, producing three new beers that blend traditional and modern techniques.

The Other Half festival will feature a diverse range of female-brewed beers including Surround Sound, a punchy hopfenweisse brewed at Hand Brew Co.

READ MORE: Sandown craft ale bar gets brewing permission

There will also be beers from Sophie de Ronde, head brewer at Burnt Mill Brewery, and Hoppy Pale Ale No.12 brewed by Michaela Charles at Beerblefish Brewing Co.

Julie will be giving tasting notes throughout the weekend.

Opening times are today (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday) noon to 7pm, Sunday, noon to 8pm

Boojum and Snark is a regeneration project located in the site of a former long-standing empty shop on Sandown High Street.

For more information visit boojumandsnark.co.uk