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15^th Moreton Beer Festival Report September 9^th to 10^th2022

North Cotswold Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale

The North Cotswold branch of CAMRA staged the 15^th festival at Moreton Cricket Club on the weekend of 9^th/10^th September. After a very wet week, thankfully Friday was mostly dry with one heavy shower at 6pm and Saturday was dry and warm. An attendance of 1450 over the weekend exceeded expectations, given the current economic outlook and the sad death of her Majesty the Queen. Some doubts were raised about the festival proceeding, but permission was given on Friday and most people still turned up to celebrate the Queen’s Life and Reign. Proceedings were stopped and a silence was observed by the crowds during Friday afternoon and Evening.			^ Beer set up and ready to go ^
^ Ciders & Perry set up and ready to go ^			A range of 50 beers were available with 36 sourced from the Northwest part of the country and 14 local beers. Thanks to the beer selection team and the Good Beer Company. The beer styles included pale ale, bitters, porters, stouts and mild. A broad range of 26 ciders and Perry came from Hereford, Gloucestershire and Kent, chosen by our Cider coordinator James Fry. In total 75 choices for drinkers to enjoy..
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 thirteen festivals. (The 2020 Festival 13 was cancelled due to COVID) The Prosecco bar has become a regular feature at these events >> .			^ The Prosecco Bar ^
^ Early customers with the Food Tent behind ^			<< Throughout the weekend, local Butcher R & D Walker provided extensive catering from a large airy tent including pulled pork, burgers, pizzas, faggots, and sausages. This proved very popular including breakfasts on Friday and Saturday mornings.
Afternoon entertainment was provided by Eden Bay, our own James Long with his brother in Law Joe playing a long set on stage. They were followed by a great welcome return by The Dropouts from 8pm to 11pm rounding off a very busy evening.	^ Eden Bay ^			^ The Dropouts ^
^ Winning Cider ^			<< The First Cider to run out was Yowler (5.2%), from Faversham in Kent, at 10:15 pm on Friday evening, This therefore was the winning cider. Prior’s Tipple Elderflower Infusion came 2^nd, a place it also achieved in 2019 & 2021.
More campers and caravans arrived for the Saturday 11am opening. The B Flats from Cheltenham played the first set then Barren and Hall a duo from Shipston followed, both appreciated by a record Saturday afternoon crowd.		^ The B Flats ^			^ Barren and Hall ^
			<< On Saturday Afternoon we were treated to a Mad Hatters Tea Party
The first beer to run out on Saturday afternoon was Wily Fox’s Dark Flagon (4.4%) a Porter from Wigan, so winning Beer of the Festival. Here we see the last pint being pulled. The Locale of the Festival was North Cotswold’s Freedom..
. ^ Good Intent ^			<< Regular band Good Intent moved to the evening session playing from 8pm to 11pm. Locals turned out in numbers as usual swelling the audience with more dancers enjoying the set than seen for some years
The Festival entry and glasses stand was in a separate tent, like last year. Here we see our usual entrance helpers >>
			Thanks to all our helpers, sponsors and to Moreton Cricket Club for the venue and a welcome to the 6 new CAMRA members who signed up through the weekend. Thanks to our usual stalwarts who worked tirelessly on Sunday morning packing up the empty barrels, racking for collection, and clearing the site.

Many thanks to all for a great festival, come back next year for the 16^th Festival on 8/9^th September 2023

Report by: Martin Jones, Moreton Festival Director. Photos by: Roger Price.