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At last year’s Moreton Beer Festival the beer voted best
in festival was Saltaire Blackberry Cascade which meant we needed to arrange
a presentation of a framed certificate recognising this achievement.
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As normal we organised a subsidised trip for our volunteer
helpers from the festival and we set off on Saturday 30th Feb 2010
in a minibus from Cheltenham at 8am reaching Saltaire at 1130am and parking
the bus at the Homeleigh hotel. We then
walked to the Brewery where we met three other members of the presentation
party already trying out the wares.
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The Brewery was set up in 2006
located in a refurbished Victorian Tram power station. This 20 barrel plant
is running at capacity with four brews per week and still not keeping up with
demand according to Cecile Simpson Saltaire Marketing Manager who also served
at the visitors bar.
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An excellent brewery tour was followed by more tasting and
the presentation of the award to Saltaire MD Paul Simpson by our Festival
Director Martyn Herbert, who had organised the trip.
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A visit to the nearby Junction in followed the brewery
presentation, for lunch and to sample up to 7 Ales (none
more than £2.50) and to hear the talking Deer.
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This was followed by a walk to Shipley and the Sir Norman
Rae to spend our Wetherspoon vouchers.
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^ Shipley Pride ^
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^ Victoria ^
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^ Fanny’s Ale & Cider House ^
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A rest back at the
hotel after booking in led to the evening session at the Shipley Pride,
Victoria and Fannys Ale & Cider House plus a great value evening meal of
Indian or Thai as preferred.
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After a hearty cooked breakfast and a stroll around the
town on Sunday morning we loaded the bus for the return trip stopping off at
the elusive Bulls Head pub at Markfield near Leicester for a light lunch
washed down with Marston Bitter or coke for the driver.
An uneventful return journey was assured with a speed
limiter preset at a steady 62mph. Thanks to Martyn and drivers Steve and
Roger.
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We look forward to the votes at the GWR Festival for our
next trip but some of our party are very keen to return to Saltaire for their
brewery festival in early September. Please contact Martyn Herbert if
interested. (Contacts page)