Ale-ing Fest Report
- Wed 25th Aug 2004
Pale Rider was the star of the Festival
Pale Rider, a golden ale from the Kelham Island brewery in Sheffield, was voted best beer by common consent at the 8th Ale-ing Fest, held at the Hayling Island Community Centre on 6th and 7th August, where almost 400 real ale lovers enjoyed the three sessions in lovely warm conditions. Other beers and ciders, by brewer and ABV were: Archers Golden, 4.7%; Butcombe Blond, 4.3%; Exmoor Gold, 4.5%; Gales HSB, 4.8%; Gales Summer Hog, 3.8%; Gales ‘Gales’ 3.9%; Hampshire Greece Lightning, 4.2%; Harviestoun Schiehallion, 4.8%; Fullers London Pride, 4.1%; Jennings Crag Rat, 4.3%; Moorhouses Pendle Witches Brew, 5.1%; Roosters Cream, 4.7%; St Austell Tribute, 4.2%; Skinners Cornish Blonde, 5.0%; Suthwyk Skew, 4.6%; Timothy Taylor Landlord, 4.3%; Wychwood Pole Jolter, 4.1%; Wychwood Hobgoblin, 5.0%; Youngs Waggledance, 5.0%; Appledram Dry Cider,7.5%;
Appledram Medium Cider; 7.5%. Sadly, the popular Hook Norton Old Hooky was off and so was substituted with Fullers London Pride, thanks to the Hayling Island Sailing Club and Gales Ales. All the beer went and we are happy to announce that over Ł1,400 was raised for community benefit.
We were entertained on the Friday night by Kelly's Tattoo, an accomplished 4-piece Irish band and on Saturday lunchtime we had Andy Atlas providing the music and Aaron Steadman entertaining the younger visitors with his Punch and Judy show and a magic show. Saturday evening featured 'Where's Billy' with their repertoire of old and new favourites, really testing out the improved acoustics at the Community Centre! The smart green Ale-ing Fest aprons worn by serving staff were a great success, as were the monogrammed commemorative mugs and T-Shirts. Paul Denman, of Alan Rae’s Butchers did a great job with the barbecued beef and pork rolls in the evenings, as did Nicky and Sam Fischer with the hot dogs and ‘steakwiches’ on Saturday lunchtime. Wally and Grace and the staff and volunteers at the Community Centre, as well as the army of Ale-ing Fest serving staff, all deserve a special mention for their efforts, making this a memorable event.
We wish to thank a great many people who gave of that very precious commodity - their own time - making the Ale-ing Fest a reality. The Ale-ing Fest relies on the support of not only our 'Barrel Sponsors' but also other groups. In particular we would like to thank The Lions, ACE and The Twinning Association who all contributed by helping with the organisation. We are also very grateful to all the pubs and other outlets who contributed greatly to our sale of tickets.
Barrel sponsors were: Alan S. Rae Traditional Foods; Bentley Walker; Burras Ltd; Funland; Geoff Foot Estate Agents; Hayling Window Centre; Havant Car Connection; Heidi's Swiss Patisserie; Hayling Property Management (HPM); Hugh Hickman & Son; Island Cars; Island Tiles; The Lifeboat Inn; Motorcare Centre; Peter & Maryon McQuade (Cider); Picture Palace; QA IT Training and Consultancy; Ramsbottoms; Raven Estates; Robby's; R.J. Morris Jewellers; Rubbish Eaters; Sovereign Carpets.
Now we are looking forward to planning next year!
By forum user, PaulFisher
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