OLDHAM Beer Festival is set to take place this weekend, this time with a flavour of the East Midlands.

The festival, now in its 29th year, is building on the success of previous years, to bring a wider array of beers as well as food.

Beer fanatics can sample from a selection of 62 beers.

Oldham Beer Festival
A selection of the beers have been tapped today – photo courtesy of Peter Sheldon

A third of these beers will hail from breweries in Greater Manchester, whilst 26 will be brought up from specialist East Midlands breweries, with another third from even further afield.

Ciders and wines will also be available, as well as international bottled beers.

[pullquote]”I’m very optimistic that people are going to enjoy their experience. There are features that we haven’t had before.”[/pullquote]

The event will take place at Oldham’s Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Event organiser Peter Sheldon, has expressed his excitement at the upcoming festival.

Oldham Beer Festival
Queen Elizabeth Hall (Copyright with permission of Stanley Walker)

He said: “I’m very optimistic that people are going to enjoy their experience. There are features that we haven’t had before.”

Amongst such features, include food provided by The Flying Horse Pub from Rochdale.

The pub won the award for CAMRA’s Branch Pub of the Year last month.

Supporting the fare on offer is Smith’s bakery from Castleton, which will supply pies.

Peter said: “We make sure to cater to everybody’s tastes. Whilst I prefer the paler ales, there are plenty of people out there who prefer the darker ones and surprisingly it is those that tend to do better.”

Councillor Jean Stretton, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “Oldham’s Beer Festival is a long-standing popular event and provides a great social meeting point for the residents of Oldham.

“It’s also a good opportunity for local breweries to showcase their products.

Oldham Beer Festival
Copyright courtesy of Peter Sheldon

“Best of all, all the proceeds will be going to the Mayor of Oldham’s Charity Appeal Fund, which is supporting Francis House Children’s Hospice and Macmillan Cancer Support this year.”

The Oldham Beer Festival will begin at noon on Friday March 31 and will run into the evening as well as all day Saturday April 1.

 

Admission is £3 on the door before 5.30pm on Friday and £5 after 5.30pm and Saturday

CAMRA card holders are entitled to a £2 discount.

 

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