THE BARRELS were rolled out for the annual Stratford Beer Festival.
Real ale lovers and cider drinkers were like the proverbial child in a sweet shop at the Shakespeare branch of CAMRA -organised event at Stratford Racecourse on Friday and Saturday (June 13 and 14).
The theme this year was “Shakespeare members favourite beers” which involved all voting for their favourite beers from across the country, which led to tipples being served from as far afield as Scotland and Cornwall, but also a few from closer to home including from the Patriot Brewery at Whichford, Shipston’s North Cotswolds Brewery, Purity Brewery at Great Alne, and the new Whale Brewery at Brailes.
The beer of the festival, chosen by vote over the two days, was Blue Anchor brewed by Springo Ales in Cornwall, a beer selected by festival chairman Lloyd Evans.
Mr Evans said: “The weather clearly brought out the crowds as attendance figures were again very high with around 1,500 people enjoying the range of beers and ciders on offer.
“By the Saturday evening well over 60 casks of beer had been consumed by the many people that attended the festival and from the high number of positive comments we received it was obviously a very friendly and sociable atmosphere for all concerned.”
The event also helped raise cash for the Shakespeare Hospice with festival-goers urged to donate unwanted beer tokens to the cause.
Visit www.stratfordbeerfestival.org.uk for further information.
Taking notes… 25.014.008.strat.jm3
Clarence Rotherwick and girlfriend Annabella Preston-Howes enjoy a brew. 25.014.008.strat.jm5
