Beer festival is a real deal (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Beer festival is a real deal

Andy Witcher, bar manager of the Beehive Picture Ref: 99669-21SWINDONIANS who like a tipple will be able to whet their whistle at this year's Swindon Beer Festival.

In association with the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), the festival will be held in the town over four- days from Thursday, October 13, in a bid to promote real ale.

The event, which will take place at the Old Railway Museum on Faringdon Road, is expected to draw in more than 1,000 real-ale lovers.

CAMRA is an association which campaigns for real ale and it hopes that the festival will help promote its cause.

Spokesperson for CAMRA, Gill White said: "We will be providing a variety of real-ales including many from local breweries including all the favourites such as Golden beer, Autumn beer and the good old stout".

Bar manager of The Beehive, on Prospect Hill, Andy Witcher said: "It is very important for the local economy that people drink real ale, it keeps the micro-breweries alive."

Admission to each session is £2 and £3 for Friday night.

The fee includes a souvenir glass and CAMRA members can indulge in a free pint on arrival.

Tickets can be bought from The Beehive, The Check Inn in Wroughton, the Glue Pot in Emlyn Square and the Old Railway Museum on Faringdon Road.

The festivities begins on Thursday October 13 at 6pm until 10pm where a selection of more than 67 real-ale beers will be available for everyone to try.

The second event takes place at Friday lunchtime from noon until 3.30pm and promises to be a 'barrel of laughs' with a selection of ciders on offer to complement the real ale.

Friday evening's event from 6pm until 11pm promises to be the highlight of the weekend with Blues band Built For Comfort providing the evening's entertainment.

At previous festivals, Friday nights have been sell-out successes and 2005 is expected to be no different. It will be tickets only which have to be ordered in advance.

"Friday's are the best nights," said Andy. "It's become a bit of an annual thing.

"There's no binge drinking or anything like that. Everything is in good spirits."

The final stage of the festival starts at noon on Satur-day October 15 and goes on until 8pm but punters are expected to arrive early to help drink the barrels dry.

Food is also available.

The festival was originally held at the Mechanics' Institute until 1983 .

"This will be our third year at the museum and our 19th Swindon Beer Festival."

The museum is an ideal location because it's local and a good size to accommodate us all," said Gill.

For more information go online to www.swindoncamra.org.uk

Victoria Ashford