BEER-flavoured ice cream, raw vegetarian sausage as well as the traditional cooked pork variety were some of the delicacies on the menu at Old Town’s Sausage and Ale Trail yesterday.

Hundreds of families flocked to Wood Street businesses and cafes in the surrounding area for a taste of the at-times outlandish dishes on offer at the event.

Organised by the Old Town Business and Professional Association, the food festival raised money for the Old Town Christmas lights, which are fully funded by the group.

“We are really excited,” said Marilyn Fitzgerald, OTBPA secretary. “We wanted to do something for families. School started and work started so we thought it would be nice for people to have something that first weekend back to look forward to.

“And we have been very lucky with the weather.”

Among the treats were homemade pies from Wilson’s Butchers, chorizo in ciabatta buns from Balula’s, Spanish beers and Spanish cured and cooked sausages from Los Gatos, alcoholic cupcakes from GlamoRose, and paneer and chickpea wraps from Wood Street newcomer Eggelicious.

Suzy Roy, 55, of Old Town, said: “I’m really impressed. I started with a Polish sausage stew and now I’m having cider ice cream. It’s a brilliant idea. If they did it again, I’d be back next year.”