A SPECIAL Star Wars-themed ale will be launched to mark a sci-fi and comic book event which is set to attract hundreds of excited families to Colchester this weekend.

The Other Monkey Brewery, in St Nicholas Street, Colchester, is set to launch Obeer-Wan, a 4.4 per cent pale ale, in collaboration with Invasion Colchester.

The superhero and sci-fi-themed event returns to Colchester on Saturday for its tenth anniversary, running between 10am and 4pm in the city centre.

Gazette: Force - the Obeer-Wan ale set to be released to mark Invasion ColchesterForce - the Obeer-Wan ale set to be released to mark Invasion Colchester

Famous characters will be roaming the city, with live performances from talented musicians.

The organisers said: “From Fenwick to Ace Comics, Lion Walk and Culver Square, all of this is organised to encourage our fabulous supporters to give some money to our charities, which provide essential services to the community.”

The event is raising funds for St Helena Hospice, Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals Charity and Mind (Mid and North East Essex).

Youngsters can expect to meet their heroes, with characters from popular franchises including Star Wars, Ghostbusters, Doctor Who and Jurassic Park.

Previous events have raised more than £60,000 for St Helena Hospice and Colchester and Ipswich Hospital’s Charity as well as creating a huge buzz in Colchester.

The brewery was approached to craft a collaboration ale to mark the event's tenth anniversary.

A spokesman said: "We were keen to support local businesses in aid of the charities.

"Brewed with Simcoe and Columbus hops, the collaboration brew will be launching on tap and in cans on Saturday, September 3, at Other Monkey Brewing The Taproom, ready for the Invasion event."

A portion of the proceeds of each beer sold will go to Invasion Colchester.

Other Monkey Brewing, the brewery arm of Three Wie Monkeys, in High Street, welcomed its first customers to its taproom in June last year.

The spokesman added: "Our brewery started production in 2016 and has been in full swing of production since early 2022 after the expansion into the historic Jack’s building from our basement microbrewery next door.

"Head brewer Aaron heads up production, logistics and management. Our technical brewer Tim joined our team in mid-May from Colchester Brewery and runs the day to day brewing procedures and production."