Beer and Cider Festival
Thursday, 24 April 2014
For the first time three of our fabulous local breweries will be stacking their barrels under one roof as the Town Hall hosts its first Beer and Cider Festival on the weekend of 3rd-4th May. The festival also provides an opportunity for all Yorkshire's major ciders to be tasted in one place, making this a real celebration of local talent.
Little Valley, Bridestones and Slightly Foxed will be bringing their unique beers and, rumours suggest, previewing ales brewed specially for the Grand Depart.
For cider lovers, The Real Cider Company of Cragg Vale will be showcasing ciders from all five of Yorkshire's major craft makers.
"People typically think of Somerset and Hereford when they think of cider," says Phil Kennedy of The Real Cider Company, "but Yorkshire can give the West Country a run for its money. The monks of Ampleforth have been making wonderful cider for generations. They have been joined by other makers throughout the county all using local apples to make proper Yorkshire cider."
The festival runs Saturday 3rd May noon–8pm and Sunday 4th May noon-6pm. Entry is £3.50 including a glass and a disloyalty card (visit all the stands with the card for the chance to win a prize).
Throughout the festival the brewers will be mounting a beer challenge to those who think they know their local beers: each will provide a one-third pint of a beer he has brewed. The challenger has to match the beer to the brewer for the chance to win a prize.
Other events during the weekend:
Meet the Brewer: Dan Tasker will do a short talk on brewing in the Calder Valley - how he started, his exciting new venture brewing craft beer as The Hebden Bridge Brewing Company. The talk will be illustrated with samples of his brews. 2pm (duration about 40 minutes)
Cider and cheese matching: discover the taste of real cider and how it compliments cheese, with plenty of local cheese and ciders to sample. 3.30 pm (duration about an hour).