Tech fans have been treated to a preview of the best of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. While the show doesnt officially begin until Wednesday (6 January), the CES Unveiling event previewed the hottest gadgets and gizmos in the annual event.

Drones, robots, and even a microbrewery were all previewed in the Mandalay Bay Ballroom on Monday 4 January.

Remi Thomas, from In and Motion who are pitching an air bag vest for skiers, said, Being at the CES is a big opportunity to showcase our products. It allows us to showcase our technology and to illustrate that we can bring significant protection in terms of different applications.

Previewed items are generally considered to be the best of the upcoming show.

This year industry giants such as Apple, Google and Microsoft are not appearing at the show. However, with over 180,000 expected to visit the show between 6 and 9 January, for many the CES is still the most important tech event.

It is the best technology show in the world and we are producing beer technology so its a perfect show for us, said Dr Bill Mitchell, who was previewing personalised microbrewery Pico Brew.

The CES has seen the unveiling of huge products like the VCR and High Definition TVs in the past.