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11th Moreton
Beer Festival Report |
North Cotswold Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale |
Crowds again at Moreton Beer and Cider Festival 2018
The North Cotswold branch of CAMRA staged the 11th festival at Moreton Cricket Club on the weekend of 7th/8th September. We were blessed with good weather despite a threatening forecast and attracted over 1000 people, many camping on site in tents, caravans and motor homes.
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<< The range
of 52 beers, were sourced from various parts of the country including 8 local
beers. The beer styles included pale ale, bitters, porters, stouts and mild.
A broader range of 23 ciders and Perry came from Hereford, Gloucestershire
and Somerset chosen by our Cider coordinator James Fry. In total 75 choices,
our largest yet. 9 beers were held back untapped due to the poor weather
forecast for Saturday on sale or return. Our GBG pub Landlords were invited to a Trade session on Friday to receive Good Beer Guide certificates for the 2019 edition. |
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The entry stand dealing with the first customers on Friday >> |
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Friday opened at 11am and the crowds built
up, 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 ten festivals. Afternoon entertainment kicked off with the Mansfield
Smith Band, shown left. |
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They were followed by Red Shift at 5 pm >> 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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<< Crowds building up on Friday. |
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The Friday band line-up concluded at 8:30 pm with
The Dropouts, attracting many locals. This rounded off what had been a very
busy evening. >> |
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^^ On Friday evening at 10-30pm, the first cider to ran out, which was Old Stag Medium Sweet Discovery at 5%. James is seen pointing to the empty box. ^^ |
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^^ The first beer to run out on Friday night at 11pm was San Francisco from North Wales Conwy, a golden ale at 5.5% winning Beer of the Festival. This time Steve (right) is supervising the drawing of the final pint. ^^ More campers and
caravans arrived for the Saturday 11am opening, with rain showers already
cleared. |
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Also on Saturday the helpers were given new shirts, sponsored by the Crown & Trumpet in Broadway. >> By the end of the
day almost all the beer and cider were consumed with 25 bbls
of beer completely empty and most of the others not far off, with the
remainder discounted to campers on Sunday morning. 93% of the 43bbls was sold
in total with no more than 3 bbls left for campers. The 9 bbls unvented/untapped which had been held back was not utilised and subsequently returned or sold at cost. |
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A couple of helpers decided not to miss the opportunity to add a bit of extra finesse for the last day >> |
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<< James Fry (centre) managing the Cider & Perry
stand on Saturday, with Roger Price (right), Branch Chairman, looking on. |
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Good Intent played a long afternoon set from 3 pm, appreciated by our largest Saturday afternoon crowd >> |
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<< The Average Wyatt Band conclude the entertainment on Saturday evening. Locals turned out in numbers swelling the audience from 9pm, dancing through until 11pm. |
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Aerial view of the festival from a drone >> Thanks to all our
helpers, sponsors and to Moreton Cricket Club for the venue and a welcome to
the 20 new CAMRA members who signed up through the weekend. Many thanks to all for a great festival, come back next year for the 12th Festival on 13th/14th September 2019 |
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Report by: Martin Jones, Moreton Festival Director; photos by Martin, Roger Price & Peter Rowe