4,500
people can’t be wrong. That’s how many attended Newbury Real Ale Festival last
year, and what fun they had consuming 18,000 pints between them. Join them this
year for what promises to be another fabulous event, and something of a musical
extravaganza to boot.
The event
takes place at Northcroft Fields, Newbury RG14 1RS on Saturday 12 September, with
gates opening at 12 noon.
The organisers have
selected the ‘best of the best’ ales and ciders from around the country, and
there will be around 140 ales and 100 ciders to choose from, including those
from local brewers Two Cocks, West Berkshire Brewery and Tutts Clump. (But if
beer or cider is not your thing there is a selection of wines to try instead.)
Tickets can be bought on-line in advance, and included in the
admission price of £10 are THREE, yes THREE, drink tokens. All drinks are
bought via tokens – this speeds up serving time with no change needed – and
additional drink tokens (which are non-refundable) can be purchased on site.
This is a family friendly event, so there will be a tuck
shop selling snacks and soft drinks. Although the family dog is not invited, under-18s
get in free but must be accompanied by an adult. Anyone lucky enough to look
under 18 will need to show ID to be served alcoholic drinks.
This year there is a fantastic mix of music genres
performing, from rock to reggae, from blues to indie, from dance to acoustic. The
Main Stage features some of the finest tribute bands around, including Guns 2 Roses,
Noasis and The Doors Alive, and original work from the likes of Echotape and In
Darklight. The Tent, too, has some fabulous offerings, including from popular
local artists such as Oli Hill and Jenny Bracey.
There will be plenty of opportunities to tuck in and soak up
the beer, with no less than four hog roasts supplied from Graham and Charlie Plank’s Bucklebury
farm. Beer and barbecues make a wonderful pairing – try America-style treats from
Sal’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Q and slow-cooked delights from Pit Smoked BBQ.
California Taco brings the joys of tacos, fajitas, quesadillas and the like
from native Californian Laura Hunt, who now lives in Newbury. There will also be
authentic wood-fired, handmade pizzas from Little Reds. Or how about a kebab or
burger and chips from local seller Ghassan? And if you’ve got a sweet tooth you
won’t be able to resist Crown Ice Cream.
Thanks to the
sponsorship of several local companies, the festival is once again raising
money for Naomi House, the local children's charity, who last year were
presented with a cheque for £10,000. There are all sorts of benefits to being a
sponsor – including Cider Friday, need we say more? – so if you want to be part
of the mix next year, check out the website for details.
The music draws to a close at 10pm, with an expected festival finish
time of 11pm when weary but happy festival-goers will be wending their way home
and looking forward to the next one.
Further details of the event from www.newburyrealale.co.uk
