The Edgworth Real Ale Festival was established back in 2006, when a small group of real ale enthusiasts had the idea that it might be fun to arrange a beer festival in Edgworth. Nervousness about whether people would turn up soon turned into nervousness about how long the beer would last. Unfortunately, it ran out later on Saturday evening and the Festival closed early for the only time.
However, there is no danger of that happening this year, with 60 beers on offer, 8 different ciders from across the country, and a selection of fine wines. There will be some popular favourites, national award winners and brand new micro-brewery beers - so there will be something for everyone.
Brewery's represented include local producers such as Dunscar Bridge, Bank Top Brewery and Hopstar Brewery, alonside national brewers like Thwaites. And the ciders have been imported from such exotic locations as Somerset, Devon and Hereford.
Sponsering the Festival for 2012 is one of our members here at thebestof bolton, Zest Fine Foods. Zest have an excellent reputation for their incredible dishes, and a great selection of this will be available throughout the weekend to compliment the usual array of pies and pasties.
As well as all that, there'll be entertainment in the form of The Witnesses, and shuttle buses available from Bromley Cross, Harwood and Egerton. So there is no excuse for you missing this packed weekend of fun (or for any drink driving).
And, what's more, as well as having an excellent time, you'll be raising money for charity. This year's selected causes are The Michael William's Trust, Breakthrough Breast Cancer and the Prostate Cancer Charity.
So, if you like what you've read, and would like more information, visit the specially dedicated website for Edgworth's Real Ale Festival. And spare a thought for me and the fact I can't be there.
