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North Cotswold GWR 6th
Ale & Steam Spring Weekend Sells Out Again |
North Cotswold Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale |
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The Sixth GWR Beer Festival held at Winchcombe Station, in conjunction with the Glos/Wark Railway on the weekend of 17th to 18th May was a tremendous success. In glorious sunshine the crowds yet again turned out en masse to drink their way through 28 barrels of beer and 3 tubs of cider and perry. Over 500 people visited the festival on Saturday with 120 on Sunday but more than sufficient to consume the remaining beer and cider by closing time on Sunday allowing clearing up to commence after another hectic festival. Those that turned up early on Saturday were treated to the rare sight of a train double headed – Picture right. |
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The beers were served from the North platform waiting room with the doors removed to assist access. With two steam trains and a diesel running throughout the weekend bringing more new customers it kept the staff very busy on Saturday when 500 glasses were issued. Some new staff joined two shifts of mainly regular helpers who were tested in serving a superb range of beer in excellent condition. The hot weather encouraged the customers to spread out along the platform and grass banks to enjoy the long awaited sunshine. The marquee next to the bar provided a covered seating facility with the CAMRA stand gaining seven new members also selling some early rare festival shirts. |
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Franklins CITRA IPA (5.5%) was the first beer to run out narrowly beating the Dark Star Revelation and won Beer of the Festival. Click here for the full beer list. Thanks to Festival Coordinator John Stocks for selecting an excellent range of beer and to Rob Brady of the Good Beer Company for meeting most of John’s aspirations. Also thanks to Donnington and Stanway for three extra barrels delivered to keep the Sunday customers going. GWR were delighted
with the major additional revenue ferrying mainly CAMRA members on the trains and additional catering which
will help fund the extension of the line north towards Broadway. Andrew Smith
from GWR thanked CAMRA and the helpers for their hard work (Pictured right)
and the excellent festival and look forward to the First Summer GWR Beer Festival planned for 16th and 17th August 2014. |
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Thanks to everyone who attended and to the helpers and set up teams.
Report by : Roger
Price, North Cotswold CAMRA Branch Chairman