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9th Moreton
Beer Festival Report |
North Cotswold Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale |
The North Cotswold branch of CAMRA staged the 9th festival at Moreton Cricket Club on the weekend of 9th/10th September. We were not blessed with continuous sunshine but it was warm and we missed the heavy rain on Friday night which just cleared in time for Saturday afternoon. The festival attracted around 1000 people, many camping on site in tents, caravans and motor homes.
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The range of 49 beers, were sourced from various parts of the country competing with 19 local beers. The beer styles included pale ale, bitters, porters, stouts and mild. A much broader range of 21 ciders and Perry came from Hereford, Gloucestershire and Somerset chosen by our Cider coordinator James Fry. In total 70 choices, our largest yet. |
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<< 49 beers ready to go Our GBG pub Landlords and guests were invited to taste possible guest ales for their establishments. TAP Brewery, a rising star, donated a barrel of Dairy Gold and the Crown & Trumpet a barrel of Artist Ale from Stanway Brewery to help with committee expenses. |
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Manfred Smith start proceedings on Friday Afternoon >> Friday opened at 11am and the crowds built up, enjoying the warm afternoon sunshine tasting the range of quality ale and cider in pristine condition. CAMRA members from near and far turned out in force, many who had attended all previous eight festivals.
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<< Cheltenham Branch take
over membership stand |
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The Friday afternoon band was followed by Benny and the Dropouts, who make their debut in style >> |
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<< Afternoon crowds build up |
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Red Shift don hats and kick off evening session on Friday >> The band played until closing on Friday evening, attracting many locals and rounded off a very busy day |
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<< Staff review day after closing |
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Caterers try out new 2017 polo shirts >> Throughout the weekend local Butcher R & D Walker provided extensive catering from a large airy tent including lamb and pig roasts, burgers, pizzas, faggots and sausages. This proved very popular including breakfasts on Friday and Saturday mornings. |
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<< Happy family group wait for weather to clear |
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Happy family group
attempt record numbers in a tent plus 3 >> |
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<< Good Intent kick off afternoon set on Saturday More campers and caravans arrived for the
Saturday 11am opening with fine rain clearing slowly bringing sunshine and
blue skies. Good Intent played a long afternoon set appreciated by our
largest Saturday afternoon crowd yet. |
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Local Austrians
arrive for birthday party >> |
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<< Rest of party ready to go The first beer to run out on Saturday at
4-30pm was Alice INN Wonderland Steam
Punk Mild 7.1% a traditional mild winning Beer of the Festival brewed by
the INN
formal micro-brewery at the 5 Bells Wickham Berkshire. Closely followed
by Siren
Craft Brew’ Proteus 4.2% from Finchampstead, Berkshire. Third was Wye Valley
Butty Bach 4.5%. |
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One hour earlier at 3-30pm the first cider to run out and therefore Cider Winner was Pearson’s Fruit Cider 4.8% narrowly beating the Gwynt Y Ddragon-Black Dragon 7.2%. Reversing the result at our Summer Ale & Steam. Third was Orchard Pig’s Navel Gazer 6% Another new member empties the Pearson's Fruit
Cider winning cider award again >> |
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<< Garry the Builder takes last pint of Alice in Wonderland |
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London Day trippers
head off after great day >> |
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<< Garry sponsors Good Intent longer set and shows off his new Polo Shirt |
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Joe Holiday from North Cotswold Brewery joins CAMRA as our 18th Festival new Member beating last year's 17 >> A large crowd on Saturday evening, many
dancing to The Average Wyatt Band, almost consumed the remaining stock with
90% sales achieved leaving the remainder for early risers to take away on
Sunday morning. The demand for cider continues to surprise particularly
during the late evening sessions. |
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<< Average Wyatt make a massive debut as headline act on Saturday and wow crowds during their evening
session through to 11pm. |
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Stag cricketers enjoy
the festival >> |
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Thanks to all our helpers, sponsors and to
Moreton Cricket Club for the venue and a welcome to the 18 new CAMRA members
who signed up through the weekend. Number 18 was young talented brewer Joe
Holiday whose North
Cotswold Jumping Jack, Moreton Mild and Shag Weaver proved very popular.
Many thanks to all for a great festival, come
back next year for the 10th Festival on 8th/9th September
2017 including additional features to celebrate this milestone event
Click here for the Festival Brochure
Quiz Answers
Report and photos by Roger Price, North
Cotswold CAMRA branch Chairman..