More breweries = more variety. And whiskey (16 photos)

The annual Sault Ste. Marie Festival of Beer is in full swing at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre.

Event organizers are pleased to report an increase in attendance (thus far) over the 2014 festival.

Twenty-four participating breweries are offering more than 90 varieties to local enthusiasts, including festival favourites Broadhead, Railway City, Lake of Bays, Collective Arts, Millstreet,  Muskoka, Stack and Outspoken.

Brand new to the festival this year are Kichesippi Beer Co., Sawdust City Brewing Co., Beyond the Pale Brewery, and Liberty Village Brewing Company.

In addition to savoury suds, the 2015 Festival of Beer also includes samples of Trafalgar's barrel-aged whiskey, and vodka by Rheault Distillery from Hearst, Ontario.

And back by popular demand, Charles Catchpole of Charger Foods returns with a selection of his gourmet hot sauces, salad dressings and wine jellies.

The Sault Ste. Marie Festival of Beer continues today from 1 to 7 p.m.

Tickets for the festival are $35 each and may be purchased at Case’s Music, Dish Espresso Bar, at the door or online at festivalofbeer.ca.

Each ticket includes a souvenir Festival of Beer glass, five beer sample tickets and entry into the event.