A CAMRA National Festival

Wednesday 20th January 2011

Linda Clarke

The Sheridan Suite about a mile from the city on the Oldham Road in Miles Platting. This is easily reached as there are buses every two or three minutes from the city. We worked at the festival and were there for the setting-up on Tuesday, when the photo was taken, should you wonder why there are no drinkers in it!


One enormous bar and three others dispensed the 200+ beers. One bar was dedicated to (mostly) strong ales that were to be judged that day for the CAMRA Winter Ales competition. The overall winner of which was Hop Back Entire Stout (4.5%) from Downton, near Salisbury, Wiltshire. Steve Wright, Director and Head Brewer, took the award.

There were bars for Czech and German draught beers, foreign bottled beers, (mostly Belgian and German), and one for British bottle-conditioned ales. Finally there was a Cider bar with over fifty different ciders and perries.

Although there was lot of seating, the room was full nearly all day Friday and Saturday. Well worth a visit as the majority of the beers are not the dark, strong ales that one might expect from the festival's title.

Important Information:

2013 saw the last festival held in Manchester. Its next location will be in Derby. For further details on future festivals please consult the website: CAMRA Beer festivals & events