It seems that independence is all the rage when it comes to beer festivals, and as part of the Birmingham Beer Bash team I can’t fault that. This coming Friday and Saturday sees a newcomer to the scene, the Independent Salford Beer Festival, and scanning through the beer list today there’s an exciting lineup including some of the newest breweries recently to appear in the Manchester area, and others from around the North-west and Yorkshire. A short bus ride out of central Manchester, at the community centre for which it is raising funds, you can find some fantastic beers for two days only.
Putting on an event like this on any scale as a truly independent venture, is no small undertaking. The underlying support of a parent organisation (such as CAMRA of course, but also robust charities like the Round Table who are quite possibly second to CAMRA in terms of the number of beer festivals they put their name to) that can provide much needed organisational and logistical support and ultimately carry the burden of any financial loss is not to be underestimated. Nor are the costs that are involved! And so when a relatively small and genuinely independent event such as this one at Salford pops up with wholly charitable intentions it deserves special attention. Especially when you look at the effort that has been put in to make what’s on offer so appealing.
Knowing full well what it is like to be underwriting an event through Messrs Barclaycard* I wish Salford all the very best with their first of hopefully many events. For all that any organiser can do to put an event together its success is ultimately down to those who choose to attend. Very reasonably priced tickets are available in advance (check the website – salfordbeerfestival.com – for details and the beer list) so if fancy sampling an excellent selection of beers while supporting a worthy cause then what are you waiting for? And if you don’t, well what’s wrong with you!
All credit and every success to Jim (@BeersManchester) and sponsors and others who have provided vital support, for all the effort that has gone into getting the festival off the ground. Buy a ticket, buy another one for a friend, spend a few hours enjoying some great beer, and support a fine endeavour for a worthy cause.
* other card providers are available
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