Burton Manor Sports Association (BMSA) is hosting its first ever real ale festival over the weekend 14th-16th June – and thanks to support from Titanic Brewery has lined up some of the best award-winning brews in the country!
The Stoke-based brewery got involved after being recommended by the Staffordshire branch of the campaign for real ale (CAMRA) – chairman Mike Harker lives in Stafford - and has sourced 11 real ales of distinction as well as supplying the state-of-the-art cooling and racking equipment needed to run a proper beer festival.
So, get ready to savour the likes of Castle Rock Harvest Pale Ale (ABV 3.8%), which is a previous Supreme Champion at The Great British Beer Festival; Springhead Roaring Meg (ABV 5.5%) with its famous citrus honey aroma and long dry finish; Abbeydale Brimstone (ABV 3.9%) a modern take on the classic English bitter with black malt for colour and US hops for flavour; Blue Monkey BG Sips (ABV 4%) a pale and intensely hoppy beer – plus Titanic’s very own Plum Porter (ABV 4.9%) which is dark, well rounded and moreish with its natural plum flavouring and also Mi Lady’s Fancy (ABV 4.6%) from probably the only wood fired brew plant in the country.
BMSA club manager, Dan Lakin, says: “The BMSA bar has built up a bit of a reputation for its selection and quality of guest real ales, but this is our first festival and we’re indebted to Titanic for their help and guidance. We want to offer our members and other visitors the very best choice of festival ales and keep them to perfection over the three days.”
Dave Bott, director of Titanic Brewery based, adds: “We’ve gone for a blend of great award winning ales and some more quirky and seldom seen brews in and around Stafford. And credit to BMSA for hosting such a fine festival, because we’re only too pleased to help spread the real ale word and ensure it runs smoothly and efficiently for them.”
BMSA’s inaugural festival gets underway from 7-11pm on Friday 14th June, followed by 12noon-11pm on Saturday and 12-10pm Sunday - or at least until the ale runs out. There is no entry fee, but a charge of £2 is for the commeratative half pint glass that guests get to use and then keep. Bar snacks, rolls and homemade samosas are available.
There is also live music on each day with Stafford three piece Keith Forrest & Friends performing their easy listening unplugged set on Friday and Sunday, plus local guitar soloist Martin Heath giving a more up tempo option on Saturday.
Other cask ales available during the festival include Ashover Brewery Light Rail (ABV 3.7%), Salopian Golden Thread (ABV 5%), Dancing Duck Dark Drake (ABV 4.5%), Oakham Citra (ABV 4.2%) and Kelham Island Easy Rider (ABV 5.2%).
For further details on the festival contact Dan Lakin on 01785 252555 or 07976 234639, or email info@burtonmanorsports.co.uk
Located in the grounds of Stafford Grammar School, off Burton Manor Road, BMSA offers squash, badminton, bowls martial arts (judo, karate, laido, kendo), tennis, snooker, table tennis and a healthy social club. The festival will also act as an open day whereby guests can look around the facilities and enquire about membership.
Pics show (l to r): Good sports – festival organiser Steve Lakin, BMSA club manager Dan Lakin and squash/badminton member Terry Horne.
