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17^th Moreton Beer Festival Report September 13^th to 14^th2024

North Cotswold Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale

The North Cotswold branch of CAMRA staged the 17^th festival at Moreton Cricket Club on the weekend of 13/14^th September. After some typical wet and windy British weather in the lead up to the festival we were blessed with some fine sunshine on both days. The Clear skies made the evenings on both days bit cold and probably impacted on attendance. 1,350 festival goers were welcomed at the lovely surrounds of Moreton Cricket Club. A new layout for the festival was welcomed by all and improved the cooling of the beers and the musicians being out of the direct sun.	^ Beer set up as seen early Saturday ^
^ Ciders & Perry at start on Friday ^	A range of 33 beers were available from breweries throughout the country and 14 local beers gave us a fine line up of 47 casks. Thanks to the beer selection team and the Good Beer Company. The beer styles included pale ale, bitters, stouts and mild. A broad range of 20 ciders and Perry came from local cider producers chosen by our Cider coordinator James Fry. In total 67 choices for drinkers to enjoy.
Friday opened at 11am and the crowds built up, tasting the range of quality ale and ciders. CAMRA members from near and far turned out in force, many who had attended all previous fifteen festivals. Afternoon entertainment was provided by Eden Bay, and The Dropouts who rocked the evening from 8pm to 11pm rounding off a very busy if cold day.	^ Eden Bay ^
^^ Crowds enjoying the Saturday Sun, in front of the catering ^^	<< Throughout the weekend Smiths of Bourton and Oink Catering provided extensive food offering which was very popular and the Cricket Club BBQ providing breakfasts for staff and campers, thanks to James Long and friends for providing this new initiative.
More campers and caravans arrived for the Saturday 11am opening and a good crowd of locals were entertained by Barrons and Hall in the afternoon sunshine. Regular band Good Intent played the evening session with more locals swelling the audience. >>>	^^ Barrons & Hall ^^
	<<< Crowds building on Saturday
The first beer to run out on Friday night was California Love (5.0%) from Tiny Rabel Brewery of Newport Wales so winning Beer of the Festival >>>
	<< The first cider to run was on Saturday so Cider of the festival was Dabinet Medium Dry (6.2%) from The Craft Cider Co of Blakeney Forest of Dean. The Local Beer of the Festival was Jumping Jack Flash from North Cotswold Brewery.
Thanks to all our great helpers, sponsors and to Moreton Cricket Club for the venue. The entrance area is seen right. >>>
	<< We celebrated former Branch Chair and Festival Director Roger Price who was presented with a well-deserved award for outstanding services to CAMRA certificate.
Eight new CAMRA members were signed up over the weekend. Thanks to the team 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 18^th Festival on 12/13^th September 2025.

Report by: Martin Jones, Moreton Festival Director. Photos by Peter Rowe, Web Master