Beer lovers brave cold to raise a glass at festival

Real ale fans raised more than a few glassses to this year's Fleetwood Beer and Cider Festival.
The Fleetwood Beer Festival opened its doors at the Marine Hall this afternoon.
Membership Secretary Ray Jackson pulls a pint of new local brewery Skippool Creek's popular beer Top Sail.  PIC BY ROB LOCK
10-2-2017The Fleetwood Beer Festival opened its doors at the Marine Hall this afternoon.
Membership Secretary Ray Jackson pulls a pint of new local brewery Skippool Creek's popular beer Top Sail.  PIC BY ROB LOCK
10-2-2017
The Fleetwood Beer Festival opened its doors at the Marine Hall this afternoon. Membership Secretary Ray Jackson pulls a pint of new local brewery Skippool Creek's popular beer Top Sail. PIC BY ROB LOCK 10-2-2017

There were more than 120 brews on offer at the 35th festival, held at the Marine Hall over Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Organisers hailed the event a success, although they admitted numbers were slightly down on previous years.

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Spokesman Russell Cobb said: “In terms of the quality of beer, the amount that was drunk and the fact that we more than covered our costs, it was definitely a success.

The Fleetwood Beer Festival opened its doors at the Marine Hall this afternoon.
A busy first session.  PIC BY ROB LOCK
10-2-2017The Fleetwood Beer Festival opened its doors at the Marine Hall this afternoon.
A busy first session.  PIC BY ROB LOCK
10-2-2017
The Fleetwood Beer Festival opened its doors at the Marine Hall this afternoon. A busy first session. PIC BY ROB LOCK 10-2-2017

“And it was good that people enjoyed it, with the atmosphere really good and the selection of the beer this year particularly excellent.

“We went for a few more established names this time and the feedback was very positive.

“It was just a little disappointing that numbers were slightly down this year.

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“We think one reason for this is that the weather was so cold.

The Fleetwood Beer Festival opened its doors at the Marine Hall this afternoon.
What shall we have next? Checking the list of beers are L-R: Greg Brotherton, Phil Mann, Paul Willis and Ed Brown.  PIC BY ROB LOCK
10-2-2017The Fleetwood Beer Festival opened its doors at the Marine Hall this afternoon.
What shall we have next? Checking the list of beers are L-R: Greg Brotherton, Phil Mann, Paul Willis and Ed Brown.  PIC BY ROB LOCK
10-2-2017
The Fleetwood Beer Festival opened its doors at the Marine Hall this afternoon. What shall we have next? Checking the list of beers are L-R: Greg Brotherton, Phil Mann, Paul Willis and Ed Brown. PIC BY ROB LOCK 10-2-2017

“For the first time ever we had to put some heating on in the main hall on the Saturday, something we try and avoid in case it affects the beer.”

There was certainly a wide variety of ales and ciders on offer. One of the most popular brews was the Baltic Trader Imperial Stout, a formidable beverage with an ABV strength of 10.5 per cent, produced by Green Jack Brewery of Lowestoft, Suffolk.

It ran out well before close of play on Friday.

Some local beers were on offer too, such as Skipper’s Dark Ale by the Skippool Creek Brewery of Thornton.

The Fleetwood Beer Festival opened its doors at the Marine Hall this afternoon.
Vanessa Gledhill on the cider and perry stall.  PIC BY ROB LOCK
10-2-2017The Fleetwood Beer Festival opened its doors at the Marine Hall this afternoon.
Vanessa Gledhill on the cider and perry stall.  PIC BY ROB LOCK
10-2-2017
The Fleetwood Beer Festival opened its doors at the Marine Hall this afternoon. Vanessa Gledhill on the cider and perry stall. PIC BY ROB LOCK 10-2-2017
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There was also some lively music each night, with Newcastle outfit One Eyed Jack and Don’t Panic.

Now organisers from the Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre branch of CAMRA are preparing for next year’s event as it edges closer to its 40th anniversary.

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